TTHHEE VVAASSAA SSTTAARR Vaassaassttjjäärrnnaann

Publliicatiion of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERIICA JJUULLYY--SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 22001111 wwwwww..vvaassaaoorrddeerr..ccoomm

Humble Beginnings - Pg. 25

Nordstroms - Pg. 26 The Grand Master’s Message

Bill Lundquist

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, Kära Vasa Bröder och Systrar , This article will reach you as both an ending and a beginning as my first Den här artikeln kommer i samband med att mitt första år som year as Grand Master ends and another begins. I would like to personally Stormästare börjar och ett nytt år står framför oss. Jag vill personligen tacka thank all Vasa members of the Districts in the US, Sweden and Canada for alla Vasas distriktsmedemmar i USA, Sverige och Kanada för ert stöd i your support of the various fundraising initiatives this year. diverse insamlingskampanjer under året. Thank you to every District in the US and Canada who accepted the Ett stort tack också till var och ett av de distrikt i USA samt Kanada som challenge of donating up to 5% of your unused allocation in the Old Age antog utmaningen att skänka upp till 5% av sina oanvände resurser inom and Benefit Fund to the important work of the Vasa National Archives in Äldre Fonden och som används till att gynna det viktiga arbetet på Vasa Bishop Hill, Illinois. 100% of the Districts that have met since my elec - Arkivet i Bishop Hill, Illinois . Av de distrikt jag träffat , sedan jag blev tion have made this donation. I am honored that you have placed your vald, har 100% gett sitt fulla stöd . Jag känner mig hedrad över att ni har trust in me and the current executive board through your generosity. I’m gett mig ert förtroende och det nuvarande exekutiva rådet genom er asking you to continue your commitment annually to this arm of our Order. generositet. Jag ber er fortsätta det årliga stöd tillägnad denna del av vår The storage, display and genealogical work done at the Archives continue to Orden. Förvaring, utställningar och släktforskningsarbetet som görs på need this support. We welcome our new Archivist, Viktoria Kofoid. She is a Arkivet, kommer att i fortsättningen också behöva ert stöd. Vi välkomnar Swedish born lady and a great addition to the Archives. Lars Jenner recently vår nya Arkivist, Viktoria Kofoid. Hon är svenskfödd och en fantastisk started a new chapter in his life in the Chicago area. He continues to assist tillgång för Arkivet. Lars Jenner började nyligen ett nytt kapitel i sitt liv the new Archivist and serve the Order as a District Officer. nära Chicago. Han kommer att fortsätta assistera vår nya arkivist och Orden The Heritage Fundraiser in support of the National Archives is under - som distrikt. way. Please remember that with over 13,000 members a $10.00 gift per Arvsfonds Insamlings Kampanjen (Heritage Fundraiser) som är till för member to this fundraiser would provide for operational expenses for 2 att stödja Arkivet är påbörjad . Var snäll och kom ihåg att med över 13,000 years! Thank you to those who supported this year’s Education Stamp medlemmar skulle en summa på 65.00 Kr per medlem ge tillräckligt stöd Fundraiser. Approximately $15,000.00 was collected for the important pro - för att kunna fortskrida under ytterligare två år! Tack till Er som stödde ject of restoration of the Education Fund but we could and should do better. årets insamling genom att köpa frimärken . Ca 96 000.00 Kr ($15,000.00 ) If you haven’t sent in your support for the stamps you’ve received it’s not samlades in för detta viktiga projekt som är till för att återigen bygga upp too late. Donations will be welcomed anytime or should you need more Utbildningsfonden, men som vi kan försöka göra ändå bättre. Om du ännu stamps for the holiday season please contact Joan Graham, GLS or me. The inte skickat in ditt stöd, är det inte för sent . Era bidrag tas med glädje emot “Julgrans ” Fundraiser will be out in plenty of time for your holiday com - när som helst ni behöver mer frimärken. Om ni vill beställa mer frimärken mitment. inför julsäsongen, kontakta Joan Graham, GS , eller mig. I continue to hear from past scholarship recipients about their careers Julgransinsamlingen kommer ut i god tid innan era helgåtaganden. and successful contributions to society as well as their thankfulness to those Jag fortsätter höra ifrån f d stipendiater som berättar om sina karriärer in the Vasa Order who have helped them financially to achieve their goals. I och bidrag till samhället samtidigt som de är mycket tacksamma för dem recently read the motivating life philosophy which contained the following inom Vasa Orden som hjälpt dem finansiera och nå sina mål. Jag läste couple of sentences: “It is in life what you give of yourself to others; in nyligen ett filosofiskt yttrande vilket innehöll följande mening: “Det är nu i serving with love and understanding that brings joy to your heart. It is what livet du ger av dig själv till andra; att kunna hjälpa till genom kärlek och we make of our lives, and how we use our God-given talents, that others förståelse som skänker hjärtat glädje . Det vi gör med våra liv och hur vi may benefit in having known you.” A scholarship named in honor of your använder de talanger Gud försett oss med, kan vara en fördel till dom som District will serve as a legacy for your members, bring additional “joy” to träffat oss .” Det distrikt som delar ut ett stipendium kommer att se det som your District and make a Scandinavian student “benefit ” by knowing the en uppgift att även i fortsättningen kunna känna glädjen över att göra detta Vasa Order of America. för en som studerar i Skandinavien, att de för dessa, har varit en fördel att I hope that all who have held offices in Local and District Lodges have känna till Vasa Orden av Amerika. enjoyed a very successful year. I ask that those who have chosen not to con - Jag hoppas att alla som erhållit poster inom de lokala- samt tinue in leadership roles will continue to use your experience in assisting distriktslogerna har erfarit ett framgångsrikt år. Jag ber att ni som avsagt er your lodge and that you will support and assist new officers. framtida ledarskap, att även i fortsättningen dela med er av era erfarenheter I have had the privilege of attending District conventions of all but one och att ni stödjer och assisterar de nyvalda i ert ställe . District (due to two conventions scheduled on the same weekend) to witness Jag har haft förmånen at delta i alla distiktsmöten utom ett, (p g a att två the initiation of many excited newly elected District Officers. möten var planerade under samma helg ) där jag bevittnat intagningen av I congratulate all new officers and wish you success in the year ahead. I många nyvalda distriktsofficerare. Jag gratulerar alla officerare och önskar challenge all Districts to work hard keeping Scandinavian traditions and cul - all framgång under kommande år. Jag uppmanar till hårt arbete för ture alive for future generations . bevarandet av de Skandinaviska traditionerna och att hålla vår kultur The first meeting of the Grand Lodge Executive Board will be taking levande för framtida generationer. place in September in Portland. Please contact your regional board member Det första mötet för Storlogens Exekutiva Råd blir i September i with concerns you would like the Board to review as soon as possible. In Portland, OR . Var vänlig kontakta era regionala styrelsemedlemmare så this time of war, I ask that you pray daily for safety for our troops in harm’s snart som möjligt med ev frågor och förslag ni skulle vilja att det Exekutiva way, for those in Norway who mourn the lives lost and try to understand the Rådet tar upp under mötet . Vi lever i en tid fylld av oroligheter och krig, jag tragic and senseless act of violence and for our Order. vill att ni ber för våra trupper , som dagligen utsätts för faror och risker , samt In Truth and Unity, för de som sörjer sina landsmän i Norge som omkom under den Bill Lundquist, Grand Master fruktansvärda massakern . Be också för vår Orden . I Sanning och Enighet , Bill Lundquist, Stormästare THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020 ) THE VASA STAR JULY-SEPTEMBER 2011 July-September 2011 Vol. 104, No. 3, Serial 848 AN IMPORTANT REMINDER Published by: CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND Vasa Order of America vasaorder.com CHECKS FOR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Please send Christmas Greetings and checks for Christmas Greetings to Grand HEADQUARTERS: Secretary, Joanie Graham, 5838 San Jose Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone c/o Joan Graham 510-526-5512. E-mail: [email protected] . Grand Secretary 5838 San Jose Avenue New members: Send to GS, Joanie Graham. Richmond, CA 94804 Phone: 510-526-5512 All address changes and subscriptions as well as all address changes should be E-mail: [email protected] sent to the Circulation Manager listed here on Page 3. Grand Master: Bill Lundquist Please send pictures of good quality in order for them to reproduce well in The 1456 Kennebec Rd. Vasa Star. Electronically submitted photos should be scanned in JPEG format at a Grand Blanc, MI 48439 resolution of 300 dpi. Phone: 810-695-3248 For submitted Lodge articles, please add city and state. Thanks! Cell Phone: 810-845-5065 E-mail: [email protected] IN MEMORIAM Editor: Please read instructions on how to send and pay for Obituaries. Marie Carlson 9560 Curberry Drive Mentor, OH 44060 Phone: 440-255-4665 Deadlines for The Vasa Star: E-mail: [email protected] Jan.-March deadline is Jan. 1; April-June deadline is April 1; Circulation Manager: July-Sept. deadline is July 1; Oct.-Dec. deadline is Oct. 1 (All Address Changes) Joan Graham Deadline for Christmas ads is Oct. 1 5838 San Jose Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 Price for Christmas Greetings – $30.00 column inch Phone: 510-526-5512 E-mail: [email protected] or Deadline for Lucia articles is January 1 [email protected] Picture and article, 200 words or less. Send bottom section of white copy of application for new members to her.

Membership Chairman: VASA DIRECTORY Art Bjorkner 31 Vasa Drive, OFFICIAL ADDRESS LIST Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 USA It is the listing for every lodge in the Vasa Order, with meeting locations and offi - Advertising: cers, and addresses and telephone numbers for all Grand, District, and Local lodges Only electronic submissions Send to: Marie Carlson as well as all Children’s Clubs and Activities Clubs. E-mail: [email protected] Invoices will be submitted electronically In an effort to cut costs, the Vasa Directory will be provided to every district and (via e-mail) local lodge via an email attachment. It has been re-formatted so that it can be print - ed on your home printer, on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Please take it to your local office sup - ply store to make copies for those in your lodge who don’t have computer capabili - Advertising Prices: Full Page Black and White $500.00 ty. It can be copied “double sided,” and put into a binder or notebook. If no one in Half Page Black and White $275.00 the lodge has the capability of printing the Vasa Directory, please contact the Grand Quarter Page Black and White $150.00 One Column Inch $ 30.00 Secretary Joanie Graham, and a paper copy will be sent to you. Half Page Color $500.00 DIRECTORY IS ON THE VASA WEBSITE Full Page Color $800.00 Available only for inside front cover, inside You can also check the Vasa website www.vasaorder.com to locate Grand, District, back cover or back cover. and Local Lodge information. 10% discount for Vasa Lodges and Members Cover: THE VASA STAR (ISSN 0746-0627) is published bi-monthly by the Vasa Order of America. Periodicals postage Swan at Cleveland Zoo, “The summer has come to an end and is flying paid at Richmond, CA, and additional away.” entries. POSTMASTER: Send address changes Svan på Cleveland Zoo, “Sommaren har nått sitt slut och flyger bort.” to The Vasa Star, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804. Picture by: Marie Carlson, Editor, VS

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 3 Letter from the Editor

It was a while since I wrote, and with only four issues per year, I guess it was. Many things have happened to all of us and around the globe, good and bad, since the previous issue of The Vasa Star. Sadly to say, what comes to mind for me is the senseless massacre in Norway that was carried out by one man alone, Anders Behring Breivik. This mass shooting was among the worst in history, and put not only the Norwegian nation in a state of shock and disbelief, it had a global effect, how could this happen in a country like Norway ? We are in the middle of September by the time you read this, and it is hard to believe that on September 11 it was 10 years ago since two jumbo jets flew into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and a third plane flew into Pentagon, in Washington DC, a planned terrorist attack killing hundreds of men and women . A fourth attack was planned but avoided thanks to some remarkable people on that plane that lost their own lives in order to save others while still in flight over Pennsylvania . It was 50 years ago since Dag Hammarskjöld died. He was the General Secretary in the United Nations from April 1953 until his death in a suspicious plane crash September 1961. TABLE OF CONTENTS Please let us remember these people and their sacrifices for mankind. In sad times we seek comfort in our families and friends, and the ties get stronger. So until Grand Lodge News ...... 5 next time, enjoy and plan for upcoming holydays, it is so important to have future plans and District Lodge News ...... 8 events to look forward to. Lodge News ...... 10 “Each and every one of those who’ve left us is a tragedy - together, it’s a national tragedy ” - Jens Stoltenberg , Norwegian Prime Minister Swedish Lodge News ...... 18 Marie Youth News ...... 23 This will hopefully be our last electronic issue . The action taken by the delegates last July Bishop Hill Vasa Youth Club when they cut the budget for the Vasa Star in half has made it hard to produce printed copies. The board is meeting in a few weeks where they will try to figure out how to make the printing Welcome to Our New Members ...... 24 and mailing of the magazine less costly. Culture ...... 25 Humble Beginnings Nordstroms Brev från Redaktören Sommar Rapport från Sverige (Eng and Swe) Book Review and New Books ...... 28 Write soon. Love, Fran Nu var det ett tag sedan jag skrev , med endast fyra upplagor per år, så är det faktiskt det . Många saker har hänt oss alla och runt om i världen , bra och dåliga, sedan förra upplagan av Happenings ...... 28 Vasa Stjärnan. Det är tråkigt att behöva säga att det som jag kommer att tänka på , är den Midsummer Queen at Bishop Hill meningslösa massakern som hände i Norge , och som orsakades av en enda man, Anders Korpagillet Behring Breivik. Denna massaker är bland det värsta i historien och har försatt inte bara den Have You Hit a Brick Wall in Your Swedish norska nationen i ett chocktillsånd och misstro, den har haft en global effekt, hur kunde något Research or Don’t Know Where to Begin som detta hända i ett land som Norge ? Vi befinner oss i mitten av september när ni läser detta och det är svårt att tro att det är 10 år Tidbits ...... 30 sedan nu den 11:e september , som två jetflygplan flög in i The World Trade Center i New York och ytterligare ett plan flög in i Pentagonen, Washington DC. En planerad terroristattack där In Memoriam ...... 31 hundratals män och kvinnor omkom . En fjärde attack hade planerats men undveks tack vare några beundransvärda människor på planet , som gav sina egna liv för att rädda andras , medan de befann sig över Pennsylvania. Det var 50 år sedan sedan, Dag Hammarskjöld dog. Han var General Sekreterare i Förenta Nationen från April 1953 till hans död i en misstänksam flygplanskrash september 1961. Kom ihåg alla dessa människor och vad de offrade för mänskligheten. Under sorgliga omständigheter söker vi tröst hos våra nära och kära, dessa band förstärks. Så tills vi hörs nästa gång , njut av att planera inför kommande helgdagar, det är så viktigt att ha framtidsplaner och att se fram emot kommande evenemang.

“Var och en av dem som lämnat oss är en tragedi, som tillsammans, lett till en nationell tragedi” -Jens Stoltenberg, Norsk Premiärminister Marie

Förhoppningsvis blir detta vår sista elektroniska upplaga. Det beslut som togs av delegaterna förra året i slutet av juli, då budgeten för Vasa Stjärnan halverades, har gjort det svårt att producera tryckta upplagor . Ett styrelsemöte kommer att hållas om några veckor där de ska försöka räkna ut hur man ska göra för att reducera kostnaderna för tryckning och porto av tidningen. PAGE 18

Page 4 Vasa Star July-September 2011 GRAND LODGE NEWS Welcome to The Swedish Language Corner! Swedish – Vasa Svenska — Learn Swedish the Vasa Way Dead or Alive? This is an update on the progress of audio files, where the text is read out Our Grand Lodge Swedish Language our new Swedish language program loud, may be saved on your computer or Committee member Inez Tornblom, a VasaSvenska . As I wrote in Vasa Star #1 a blank CD for easy listening and prac - native Swede and longtime U.S. resident, 2011, one of my initial concerns was to tice. We also plan to eventually post recently wrote an article with this some - put together a program committee, which video clips on the website. More details what provoking title in a newsletter. is now in place. The committee has three will soon follow, and the district cultural There she told about a harrowing experi - members who are responsible for com - leaders will be informed by email when ence in Uppsala, Sweden a few years ago. municating with the district cultural lead - the program is ready for takeoff in She had turned to a young man to ask for ers within their respective Vasa region. September. Please feel free to contact me directions, in Swedish of course, but the They are also involved with the program or one of the committee members with Swedish university student seemed to design and content. any suggestions you may have about think that Inez should converse with him The committee members/contact per - material, links, or other resources. in English! Now, ‘harrowing’ may be too sons are: We have chosen to make VasaSvenska strong a word to use in this context, but • Inger Hanright (Grand Lodge mainly an online program because it is an indeed, it was a bit shocking to Inez. The Cultural Leader), hanright@opton - easy, flexible, and inexpensive way to good part is that the incident inspired her line.net : Eastern Region (District spread and receive information. We real - to look into the history of the Swedish Lodges 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and the ize that everybody may not have access language, where she discovered that Southeast and Florida-Regions) . to the internet, but this does not have to many foreign words for centuries have • Inez Tornblom, exclude anyone from participating in a been heavily incorporated into the [email protected] : Midwest local lodge study group. The group leader Swedish tongue. Region (District Lodges 7, 8, 9, 10, or another participant can make the mate - But, let’s start from the beginning… 17 and the Central Region ). rial available to a fellow student. Lessons Swedish belongs to the East • Eivor Pfannkuch, pfannkuch@com - and articles, as well as book and CD sug - Scandinavian group of North Germanic cast.net : Western Region (District gestions will also be printed in the Vasa languages, which also includes Danish, Lodges 11, 12, 13, 15 and 21) Star. Norwegian, Faroese and Icelandic. As the Grand Lodge Language We very much look forward to intro - In the Viking age the ‘Danish tongue’, Director and committee chair I am ducing the VasaSvenska program with the ancestor of the modern Scandinavian responsible for the overall program and the Swedish Language Corner on the web languages, was understood by the Angles contacts within our organization, and also and in the Vasa Star. Our goal is to have and the Saxons of England. Today, for the direct communication with the something instructive and enjoyable for although Swedish and English have lodges in Canada and Sweden. everybody, whether you know only a few developed along different lines, English (Obviously, our members in Sweden do Swedish words or are a fluent Swedish speakers would recognize the relationship not need to learn Swedish, but they may speaker. And since there is no time like and similarities between the two lan - still be interested in knowing about our the present, we’ll begin right away with a guages. program ). timely article on the development of the The history of the early Swedish lan - At the time of writing I am collaborat - Swedish language through the ages. guage has been made available to us by ing with the Grand Lodge webmaster Enjoy! large numbers of runic inscriptions, dat - Robert Anderson to provide a Swedish ‘til next time! ing from about AD 600 up to the early web page within the Grand Lodge Best regards/Bästa hälsningar , Siv 1200s, thus encompassing the Viking era. website. Watch for the link Visit the Swan-Pierson , Grand Lodge Language The thirteenth century saw the influx Swedish Language Corner at Director of powerful merchants mainly from www.vasaorder.com . There we will post [email protected] North Germany into Sweden. They lessons, articles, and other interesting gained considerable influence in the items. By the time you are reading this country, and this led to the introduction Vasa Star issue our web page should be of a wealth of German words into the up and running. Swedish language, such as betala/pay, The main part of the VasaSvenska pro - borgmästare/mayor, handel/trade, köp - gram will consist of lessons with text and man/merchant, skräddare/tailor, and audio files that can be downloaded from snickare/carpenter. As a result, Swedish the language corner on the GL website. became differentiated from the neighbor - The course, which is offered at no cost, is ing Scandinavian tongues. professionally designed and quite com - The year 1526, when the New prehensive. We have decided to divide it Testament was translated into Swedish, up and post only one or two lessons at a seems to be a turning point in the evolu - time in order to make it easier to work with. The text may be printed out and the Continued on page 6

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 5 Swedish – Dead or Alive elektricitet/electricity, tobak/tobacco, tun - flair in the midst of all the influences Continued from page 5 nel, match, turist/tourist, and strejk/strike from other languages. After all, it is my are but a few examples. homeland’s cherished tongue! tion of Modern Swedish. Ever keen to So, are we coming full circle to where Siv Swan-Pierson , Grand Lodge distinguish their language from Danish English and Swedish are as close as they Language Director and other tongues, which had influenced were in ancient days? Time will tell. [email protected] Swedish, successive governments insist - A closing commentary: Inez writes: Note: Most of the information in the ed on a written form of the language that “Swedish will survive! The mixing is just article is downloaded from was traditional and conservative, based a sign of a living, growing language.” I http://www.linguaphone.co.uk/language.c upon original manuscripts written by agree, but even so I sincerely hope that fm?language_id=30 monks, rather than on the spoken word. Swedish will be able to keep its special The seventeenth century saw the grad - ual standardization of Swedish, based pri - Välkommen till Svenska Språkhörnan ! marily on the Svea dialect spoken in Vasa Svenska — Lär dig svenska på vasavis Stockholm and around Lake Mälaren. It incorporated some features of the Göta Här följer en uppdatering av hur arbetet kan laddas ner från språkhörnan på (Southern Sweden) dialect. med vårt nya svenska språkprogram Storlogens webbplats. Kursen, som är Written Swedish continued to be VasaSvenska fortskrider. Som jag skrev i gratis, är professionellt utformad och deliberately cultivated as a symbol of Vasastjärnan nr 1 en av mina första mycket omfattande. Vi har beslutat att dela national unity; in 1786 King Gustav III uppgifter var att bilda en upp den och anslå endast en eller ett par founded the Swedish Academy. The programkommitté, vilket nu är gjort. lektioner åt gången så att den blir lättare att Academy’s “noblest and most urgent” Kommittén har tre medlemmar, som arbeta med. Texten kan skrivas ut och task was to work for the “purity, strength ansvarar för kommunikationen med ljudfilerna, där texten läses högt, kan and sublimity” (in today’s language, distriktskulturledarna inom sin respektive sparas på din dator eller en tom disk så att something like ‘clarity, expressiveness region. En annan viktig uppgift är att du lätt kan lyssna och öva. Vi planerar and reputation’) of the Swedish language. medverka vid programmets utformning också att så småningom ha videofiler French was the foremost world lan - och bidra till dess innehåll. på vår hemsida. Fler detaljer kommer snart guage in the 1600s and 1700s, so it fol - Kommittémedlemmarna/kontaktperson och våra distriktskulturledare blir lows that a myriad of Swedish words like erna är: underrättade per e-post när programmet charmant/charming, fars/comedy, aff - • Inger Hanright (Storlogens Kulturledare), är klart att presenteras i september. isch/poster, paraply/umbrella and [email protected] : Östra Regionen Kontakta gärna mig eller någon av chef/boss. are borrowed from this lan - (distriktslogerna 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 och Sydöstra kommittemedlemmarna om du har förslag guage; words Around 1800 Napoleon´s och Florida-regionerna). till länkar, material eller andra idéer till Field Marshal Bernadotte came to • Inez Törnblom, programinnehåll. Sweden with his retinue to become [email protected] : Mellanvästra Vi har valt att göra VasaSvenska till ett Sweden´s king and brought a new wave Regionen (distriktslogerna 7, 8, 9, 10, 17 huvudsakligen online program därför att of French words. French, of course, och Central-regionen). det är ett lätt, flexibelt och billigt sätt att became the official language at the • Eivor Pfannkuch, sprida och ta del av information. Vi förstår Swedish royal court. [email protected] : Västra att alla kanske inte har tillgång till webben It has been estimated that roughly 17.5 Regionen (distriktslogerna 11, 12, 13, 15 men det behöver inte betyda att man inte million people in the world either speak och 21). kan delta i en lokalloges studiegrupp. or write Swedish. Almost the entire pop - Som Storlogens språkkonsult och Gruppledaren eller en deltagare kan göra ulation of Sweden has Swedish as their ordförande i kommittén ansvarar jag för materialet tillgängligt för någon annan. mother tongue and it is also one of programmet i stort och för de övergripande Lektioner och artiklar såväl som förslag på Finland’s two official languages. kontakterna inom vår organization liksom böcker och CDs kommer också att finnas i Four million Norwegians and five mil - även direktkontakterna med logerna i Vasastjärnan. lion Danes can understand it, and there - Kanada och Sverige. (Naturligtvis behöver Vi ser fram emot att presentera fore anyone who masters Swedish also våra medlemmar i Sverige inte lära sig VasaSvenska- programmet med den acquires a basic reading knowledge of svenska men de kan ju vara intresserade av svenska språkhörnan ( the Swedish Danish and the two forms of Norwegian att följa programmets utveckling ändå.) Language Corner) på hemsidan och i (Bokmål and Nynorsk). När detta skrivs samarbetar jag med Vasastjärnan . Vårt mål är att ha något The language changes as society Storlogens webbmästare Robert Anderson intressant och lärorikt att erbjuda var och changes. Swedish words get new mean - för att sätta upp en svensk hemsida på en antingen man kan endast några enstaka ings, or are put together to form new Storlogens webbplats. Titta efter länken ord eller talar svenska flytande. Och words. The internet, TV, movies, and Visit the Swedish Language Corner (Hälsa eftersom det är viktigt att ta vara på varje new technology have brought an på i den svenska språkhörnan) på tillfälle att lära, så börjar vi direkt med en avalanche of borrowed American words www.vasaorder.com . Där kommer vi att ha artikel om utvecklingen av det svenska like koncept/concept, hackare/hacker, lektioner, artiklar och annat intressant språket. Hoppas ni finner den intressant! hype, party, pierca/pierce, promota/pro - material. När du läser det här numret av Vi hörs! Bästa hälsningar , Siv Swan- mote, softa/soft. Many fully integrated Vasastjärnan, hoppas vi att vår hemsida är Pierson Swedish words are also taken from the klar att tas i bruk. Storlogens Språkkonsulent (Grand English language. Ängel/Angel, Huvuddelen av programmet kommer att Lodge Language Director) präst/priest, potatis/potatoes, bestå av lektioner med text och ljud som [email protected]

Page 6 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Svenskan – död eller levande? Medlemmen i Storlogens språk- huvudsakligen baserad på sveadialekten läsa texter på danska och norskans båda kommitté Inez Törnblom, född i Sverige som talades i Stockholm och runt språk (bokmål och nynorsk). och bosatt i USA sedan många år, skrev Mälaren. I denna införlivades en del Språket förändras i takt med samhället nyligen en artikel med denna något inslag av götadialekten i södra Sverige. vi lever i. Ord får en ny mening eller sätts utmanande titel i ett nyhetsbrev. Där Man fortsatte att medvetet utveckla ihop för att bilda nya ord. Internet, TV, beskrev hon en omskakande upplevelse den skrivna svenskan som en symbol för filmer och ny teknik har bragt en uppsjö som hon hade i Uppsala för några år nationell enighet. 1786 grundade kung av amerikanska ord som t. ex. koncept, sedan. Hon hade vänt sig till en ung man Gustav III Svenska Akademien. hackare, hype, party, pierca, promota och för att fråga om en adress, på svenska Akademiens ”noblaste och mest softa. Många välkända svenska ord är förstås, men den svenske studenten trängande” uppgift var att verka för också lånade från engelskan. Ängel, verkade tycka att de skulle tala engelska! ”renheten, styrkan och högheten” (på präst, potatis, elektricitet, tobak, tunnel, Nåja, ‘omskakande’ är kanske ett alltför nutida språk ungefär ‘klarheten, match, turist och strejk är bara några få starkt ord i sammanhanget men nog blev uttrycksfullheten och anseendet’) i det exempel. Så håller vi på att sluta cirkeln, Inez minst sagt överraskad. Händelsen svenska språket. där svenskan och engelskan kommer lika ledde i alla fall till att hon beslöt sig för Franskan var det främsta världsspråket nära varandra som de var för mycket att forska litet i det svenska språkets på 1600- och 1700-talen, varav följer att länge sedan? Tiden får utvisa. historia och upptäckte då att många inte en mängd ord som t. ex. charmant, fars, En avslutande kommentar: Inez säger: bara engelska utan också tyska och affisch, paraply och chef lånades från ”Svenskan kommer att överleva. franska ord har införlivats i det svenska detta språk. Runt år 1800 kom Napoleons Uppblandningen är bara ett tecken på ett språket under århundradens lopp. Men låt fältmarskalk Bernadotte till Sverige med levande, växande språk.” Jag håller med oss börja från början... sitt följe för att bli Sveriges kung. Många men visst hoppas jag ändå att det svenska Svenskan tillhör den östskandinaviska nya franska ord kom då i bruk och språket kan hålla ställningarna mot alltför gruppen av nordgermanska språk, som franska blev förstås det officiella språket mycket inflytande från andra språk. Det även omfattar danska, norska, färöiska vid hovet. är ju trots allt mitt hemlands kära och isländska.. Uppskattningsvis skrivs eller talas tungomål! Det ’danska tungomålet,’ de moderna svenska av ca 17,5 miljoner människor Siv Swan-Pierson, Storlogens skandinaviska språkens förfader, kunde världen runt. Så gott som hela Sveriges Språkkonsulent (Grand Lodge på vikingatiden förstås av Englands befolkning har svenska som modersmål Language Director) anglosaxare. Fastän svenskan och och det är också ett av Finlands officiella [email protected] engelskan har utvecklats I olika språk. riktningar kan engelskspråkiga Fyra miljoner norrmän och fem (Merparten av uppgifterna i artikeln fortfarande känna igen släktskapet och miljoner danskar kan förstå svenska och kommer från webbsidan likheterna mellan de två språken. därför får alla som bemästrar svenskan http://www.linguaphone.co.uk/language.c Vi har fått tillgång till det tidiga också en grundläggande färdighet i att fm?language_id=30 ) svenska språkets historia genom ett stort antal runinskrifter, som daterar sig från omkring år 600 till det tidiga 1200-talet och således omfattar vikingatiden. På tolvhundratalet kom ett stort antal mäktiga köpmän huvudsakligen från norra Tyskland till Sverige. De fick stort Please remember the Grand Lodge inflytande i landet, vilket ledde till att många tyska ord införlivades i det svenska språket t. ex. betala, Scholarship Fund and the Vasa National borgmästare, handel, köpman, skräddare och snickare. Svenskan kom härigenom Archives when making a memorial dona - att skilja sig från de andra skandinaviska språken. tion. Vasa Scholarship Fund, Joan Året 1526, när Nya Testamentet översattes till svenska, tycks vara en Graham GS, 5838 San Jose Ave., vändpunkt i den moderna svenskans utveckling. Efterföljande regeringar ville särskilja svenska språket från danskan Richmond, CA 94804 ~ Vasa Archives, och andra språk, som hade påverkat svenskan, och insisterade på att det Jake Gruel, Financial Secretary, 13716 skrivna språket skulle vara traditionellt och konservativt, baserat på W. Lilac Lane, New Berlin, WI 53151. orginalmanuskript skrivna av munkar, i stället för på det talade ordet. På sextonhundratalet kom en gradvis standardisering av svenskan,

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 7 DISTRICT LODGE NEWS DL Lake Michigan #8 District Cultural Leader Andrea PDS Marge Gruel discussed the proce - winners of the cash drawing. The evening Wilczynski coordinated with the local dures for applying for assistance from the was concluded with several hours of fun lodges to present a stunning exhibit high - Old Age and Benefit Fund . Vasa mem - dancing; the Disc Jockey seemed to know lighting Swedish holidays and special bers may request assistance for medical exactly what type of music, including seasonal events. There were also displays and or financial need. Application forms Swedish songs, would bring the dancers on the Vasa National Archives in Bishop were distributed to the attendees. out to the dance floor. Hill, Illinois, and the Scandinavian VDM Edward Hultgren encouraged Following dinner, Master Of Park/Vasa Park in South Elgin, Illinois . local lodges to host a District Ceremonies , District Master Tom In addition to the cash drawing, there Convention. He discussed the resources, Cleveland announced the awards from were two different raffles . The welcome including the District Executive Board the Friday morning Golf Tournament at gift bags were provided by Siljan–Mora– members that are available to local the Michigan City Municipal Golf Tuna #134. The colorful royal blue bags lodges to plan the annual event. ADS Course and the annual Membership were imprinted with a bright yellow Joella Hultgren distributed folders to Awards for 2010 were presented by “VASA”, and filled with a great selection each local lodge that contain the District District Executive Board Member Steve of treats. The Hospitality Room was #8 Policies and Procedures appropriate to Westlund , 1st place was Svea # 253, located at the pool side and provided a District Convention planning receiving $300.00. welcome respite for delegates and guests. DMC Vasa National Archives The College Scholarship Awards were The District Executive Board provided Archivist Lars Jenner spoke about the presented by Grand Lodge Youth the Friday evening buffet. new equipment in use at the Vasa Director USA and Canada/District Dave Nordin presented a two part National Archives to help him do his Supervisor of Youth and Children’s Club Cultural Program; the first part included work in archiving, researching, and Lynda Smith . The Sjölunden Language the children from Nordikids #208 and reporting back to inquiries about histori - Camp Scholarships were announced by Nordik Folk #761 to tell the story of cal records and genealogy questions. Grand Lodge Youth Director USA and Viking living. He shared factual informa - Many special activities take place dur - Canada/District Supervisor of Youth and tion about Vikings, and the Nordikids ing the Saturday evening banquet. Children’s Club Lynda Smith. The recip - were “actors” who played out the story of District Chaplain Inez Törnblom led the ients of two weeks at Concordia how the Vikings traded, bartered, lived, recitation of the Swedish grace. In addi - Language Camp in Bemidji, Minnesota and battled. The Viking ship, swords , tion to the delicious meal and fellowship, were: Philip Nelson, Hagar # 721; and shields from last year’s Kids Camp we were entertained before, during, and were used, and adults from the audience following the meal . They were several Continued on page 9 helped to tell the story. There were songs about Vikings that the children sang while they re-enacted a scene of a “thrall”, telling stories and Viking sagas in front of a fire. The story of the Viking Ship was the second part in Dave Nordin’s talk about the travels of the Vikings. Dave Nordin kept us enchanted and fascinated with his stories, and everyone learned something new about Vikings. The children were a wonderful addition to the program. Well done Nordikids! The Opening Ceremony was presented by members of Nordikids #208, Linde #492 and Nordik Folk # 761. Many of the Grand Lodge Officers and Past District Masters attended the Convention. Lunch was available from the hotel breakfast area room. Convention attendees ate lunch in the Convention meeting room, and listened to the four “Lunch and Learn” presentations . GLD-DLLM # 8/ S&FS VOA National Archives Inc., PDM Jake Gruel presented a musical slide show of Bishop Hill, Illinois, the historic buildings, and the District Cultural Leader Andrea Wilczynksi and Lisa Cianci, Chairman Siljan-Mora-Tuna home of the Vasa National Archives. Lodge #134, with the Valborg Exhibit, including fresh strawberries and sparkling juice.

Page 8 Vasa Star July-September 2011 DL Lake Michigan #8 DL Alberta #18 Continued from page 8 Canada Harrison Lorentz, Nordikids #208; and Kelsey Ruth, Förgät Mig Ej #64. Marvin Anderson presided over the The 40th Biennial Convention and 8th Congratulations campers . Memorial Service during which District Anniversary of District Lodge Alberta Vice District Master Edward Hultgren members who died during 2010 were #18 was hosted by the Past District presented the Distinguished Service remembered . Masters’ Club of District Lodge Alberta Award to Grand Master/Past District Installation Of District Officers: DM, #18 at Leduc, on Friday June 10th . Master William (Bill) Lundquist. The Tom Cleveland; VDM, Edward Hultgren; Golfing for those interested took place at award is given to a member of the DS, Nancy Hult; ADS, Joella Hultgren, the Black Bull Golf Course .DM Fae Doty District Lodge who has provided out - to mention a few. and her husband Lee held a reception standing service to the District, the Vasa The Sunday post Convention lunch Friday evening welcoming guests, dele - Order of America, and the American and was provided by Bessemer #203. The gates and executive to the Convention. world communities. Bill was given a lunch was appreciated and the delegates On Saturday, Doreen Nyroos, Grand ring that contains the Vasa Order started for home well nourished in both Lodge Deputy and P.D.M. District #18 emblem, the designation “DSA”, and his mind and body. opened the 40th Biennial Convention, initials. Congratulations Bill! Submitted by; Joella D. Hultgren , which was held in Leduc, Alberta, June District Chaplain Inez Törnblom and Assistant District Secretary 10 - 12, 2011, by greeting those present and introducing Joan Petersson who gave the narrative for the Flag Ceremony. Doreen then introduced District #18 DL Golden Gate #12 District Master Fae Doty. Fae, in turn introduced District Officers, Visiting Our annual Sweden Day event was the yummy brandy/marshmallow concoc - Officers, Honorary Life Members, Grand June 4th at Camp Norge in Alta, tion. Lodge Officers, Vice Grand Master Tore California. It is tradition that one of the Sunday morning the Lipscom/ Kellgren and his wife Birgitta, and Grand last duties for the District Master, Scott Matthews crew treated us to Swedish Master Bill Lundquist and his wife, Matthews, is to host Sweden Day . In past pancakes with Lingonberry whipped Sheila, to name a few. years the weather was glorious with cream, bacon and scrambled eggs. It was New members to the Convention were sunny days and starlit nights but with truly a memorable event. initiated into the District. They were record spring rains and cool temperatures Submitted by: Carole Ann Sell Celia Sollows and Bruce Samuelson both it was a totally different experience. of Skandia # 549. The minutes of the last Scott and his dear wife Kathryn had District Convention meeting were read planned to set up their pup tent while at and corrected as were the Executive the camp but with the ground Board meeting minutes of June 10, 2011. being rather squishy with all the rain they The rest of the meeting was run as per rit - decided to stay warm and cozy in one of ual. the dorms. Those brave souls who made Jessica Lee of Norden Lodge #513 the trip to the mountains in spite of the was the winner of the District scholar - weather have all those fun memories of ship, however she was unable to attend Sweden Day 2011 as we celebrated the Convention so will be presented her among the rain drops. award at another time. If you weren’t able to attend, here is Lodges Nordstj ärnan #575 and what you missed: Our Flag Branting #417 both gave donations to Ceremony usually held outdoors was Skandia #549 Vasa Children’s Camp in indoors this year. Because we had no recognition of the Districts 80th electronic music our District Master of Anniversary, and Skandia #549 sent a Ceremonies, George Sell described each bouquet of flowers which was placed on flag one by one. Our Sweden Day the alter. Princess was Elecia Vanover. Her A group photograph of all present was crown didn’t arrive but she looked lovely taken outside the hotel in front of an oil in her beautiful white dress. pump jack, after which a banquet was She expressed her gratitude for being held. Following the banquet, door prizes chosen to represent Vasa/Sweden Day were presented with Phyllis Ochoa win - 2011. Our chefs for the Saturday BBQ ning three of them. Ray Nyroos then pre - were Jeff Vanover, James Netzel and sented the golf awards from the game that Robert Beeson. Keeping the charcoal dry was played on Friday, June 12th was the goal and they did a fabulous job A Memorial service for the departed of creating a BBQ gazebo with tarps. Ed members was held, with Doreen and Ray Netzel brought his own wood for the Nyroos and Ken and Carol Banks doing campfire later that evening and those who the officiating. The service consisted of were there were warmed by the fire and Sweden Day Princess Elecia Vanover Continued on page 10

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 9 DL Alberta #18 District Master , Sandra Petersson, Alberta and meeting those present. Continued from page 9 Secretary, Lisa McMurray , Presentation of the Past District Assist. Secretary, Joan Sjolin, Treasurer, Officer’s pin was made to Past Secretary singing some popular Hymns, reading of Lloyd Eriksson , Members of the Thelma Speilman and past Assist. poems, lighting of candles, and the plac - Executive Board, Don Melin, Carol Secretary Celia Long for the many, many ing of carnations in a vase for each Banks, Phyllis Ochoa, Trustee, Darl years they have held these positions. departed member. Following the service Brown, Auditor, Ken Banks, Cultural Sigrun Magnason gave the description the attendees enjoyed coffee and an Leader, Dolly Killaly, Youth Supervisor, of the Icelandic flag. Blue is for the sky, anniversary cake, marking the 80 years Trevor Nyroos, Historian, Lois Brown, white is for the glaciers, and red is for the for the District. Membership Chairman ,Phyllis Ochoa . volcanoes and fire. The meeting commenced at 10 a.m. Representative to Vasa Archives, The meeting adjourned by noon with a with the installation of the newly elected Lennart Petersson short executive meeting following. officers for the term 2011 to 2013. The Both the Vice Grand Master and Submitted by: Lois Brown , following District Officers were installed: Grand Master spoke on the Good of the District Historian District Master , Fae Doty , Vice Order and how they enjoyed visiting LODGE NEWS North Star Lodge #106 Fylgia Lodge #119 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA Eleonora Nyren arranged for us to “God dag, ” from San Francisco. In visit the famed Descanso Gardens when May 2011, Robert Peterson, past Chair of spring flowers were in full bloom. Fylgia, and past District 12 Master, gave Jane Hendricks of Nordic Fox Lodge an enthralling lecture on the prolific continues to cater delicious luncheons woodcarver, Emil Janel, who was born in following our monthly meetings. 1896 in the wilderness town of Orsa, Midsummer was special. We were Sweden. Emil Janel showed the begin - honored to have Linnea Marie Heinstedt ning signs of his genius at the age of four as our representative and she was select - by whittling small animal figures out of ed as Svea. Linnea and her family belong wood to amuse himself during the long to the Nordic Heritage Lodge and all are winter. He continued his carving, and at active members. She was beautiful on the age of 19, exhibited his figures in this wonderful day at the Vasa Park. The Stockholm winning a first prize of 100 Midsummer Queen, Kristen Demarjian, Swedish Crowns ! represented the Scandia Lodge. The title After emigrating to Canada, and then of Columbia was held by Kiley Jahn, to the United States, Emil Janel lived in who represented the Viking Lodge and is the Bay Area, he was represented at a Linnea Marie Heinstedt was selected as SVEA a member of the Evening Star Lodge. local art gallery, and one of his fine wood for the Midsummer Celebration in June at There were two other beautiful princess - sculptures is on display at Sveadal. Many Vasa Park. She represented North Star Lodge es: Katie Spaberg representing the delighted guests enjoyed Robert #106, Los Angeles, CA. She is shown with Swedish Club of Los Angeles, and North Star Chairman, Erik Lindberg. Peterson’s well-researched remarks on Rebecka Thorsen who is a member of the Emil Janel along with many artifacts: North Star Lodge #106 of Los Golden Valley Lodge. All of these girls woodcarving sculpture figurines, books, Angeles, California, had busy entertain - were lovely and gracious. and articles , which were set-up on an ing months. We are pleased to have We look forward to Christmas with adjacent table for display. During the added two new members: Siri Eliason, Lucia and our 105 year anniversary in question and answer section , some audi - who is well known in Swedish circles. January. ence attendees had met Mr. Janel, which She resides in Thousand Oaks, California Submitted by: Elinore Thornton and added ambience to this splendid evening and Ingemar Hultehage of Malibu, Jeanette Engstrom of culture and fellowship. California. Välkommen! Special thanks to Robert Peterson for We had Mother’s Day remembrances the fine lecture, and to Chris and Bob and a Father’s Day commemoration fea - A Vasa-bridge to your Olson for the delicious refreshments! For turing talented vocalists: Uno Kasperson, more information about the artist , please Erik Lindberg, and Bob Solt. They had Swedish ancestors! consider “The Life and Work of Emil especially good voices that day and with Looking for your relatives in Sweden? Janel, an illustrated essay” by Thomas C. fancy headgear. CL Eleonora Nyren I have helped many satisfied Seal, 1973. always provides prizes; generally baskets Vasa-members finding their Swedish roots. In June 2011, Fylgia chair, Scott of Swedish food items and more. She Further info please e -mail: Schulkin, gave a wonderful lecture, “My does a great job. [email protected]

Page 10 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Fylgia Lodge #119 Thule Lodge #127 Continued from page 10 Jamestown, Bemus Point, NY Trip to Öland” regarding Scott’s trip to Sweden, where he met local genealogists, Hello from Thule Lodge #127 in the who knew some of his family. In fact, Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY area. Our Scott ended up meeting family on both summer began with many activities, sides of his grandfather’s family. In which included Friday night dinners at addition, without knowing this ahead of the lodge, a herring breakfast, the meat - time, Scott stayed in a resort, which was ball dinner, our summer schedule of right next door to his great, great grandfa - meetings, and the annual Scandinavian ther’s birthplace. Therefore, with a little Festival in the middle of July. Our meet - info and a lot of luck, Scott found out a ings are held on Thursday evenings dur - great deal about his family and met a ing the summer, and Lodge Chairman number of them, which inspired members Ralph Veights welcomes all to the meet - to renew their efforts to get in touch with ings. For all events and activities, assis - their Swedish roots. tance is always provided by our mem - In addition, in June 2011, about a bers. dozen Fylgia members enjoyed Lodge chaplain Diane Shaw conduct - Midsummer at Sveadal, in Morgan Hill, ed the Memorial Service at the end of CA (about 90 minutes south of San May to remember those lodge members Sister and brother, Allie Linnea Nelson Withers and Nels John Nelson, celebrated Francisco). Kristin Jackson represented who have passed away in the last year. Past lodge chairman Edwin Sandberg their arrival to the United States 85 years ago Fylgia in the Midsummer Queen’s Court. at a recent Thule Lodge #127 meeting. Fylgia member, Ted Olsson, was the read the names, and Chaplain Shaw would bring a carnation to the altar in Master of Ceremonies for the event, and if you are in our area, we would wel - where the distinguished guests included that person’s memory. At the end of May, two long time come you to our lodge at 4123 Pancake Barbro Osher , and Jonas Hafstrom, a Hill Road. “God dag” to all. Swedish Diplomat, currently serving as members celebrated their arrival to the United States 85 years ago. Allie Linnea Submitted by: John Sipos, the Swedish ambassador to Washington, Lodge historian D.C. Nelson Withers, and Nels John Nelson Please join us in 2011 at the historic told a brief history of their immigration Swedish American Hall in the heart of with their family, arriving at Elis Island. Bessemer San Francisco for the following cultural Their father had arrived first, finding Lodge #203 events : in September, Fylgia Arts & employment, and with their mother, they Crafts Show; in October, 104th arrived later to settle in the western New Chicago, IL Anniversary Dinner; and in December, York area. They have never forgotten “Julbord ” Dinner. For more information, their Swedish heritage, and are proud to please see our website: www.scandinav - talk about Sweden. Allie served the ius.com/vasa/fylgia . lodge as cultural leader for many years, Submitted by: Victoria Lynn Peterson and Nels serves the lodge as outer Picture by: Victoria Lynn Peterson guardsman. At each meeting, our financial secre - tary Donna Sandberg keeps the members informed of those who are ill, and encourages all to visit those who are ill and in need. Treasurer Loretta Smith keeps track of the financial records of the lodge. Lodge secretary Lucile Marsh keeps all informed of the latest communi - cations of the lodge, and is a well-known person working at every dinner. During the Scandinavian Festival there were many food stands, many hours Susan Nilsson, Culture Director and Britt of festive music, Scandinavian displays, Nilsson, Past Chairman. cultural activities and demonstrations all related to the heritage. The Thule Lodge The members at Bessemer on the served their famous Swedish meatball south side of Chicago have been busy dinner on the first day of the festival. making plans to celebrate its 100th Appreciation goes to Thule lodge mem - Anniversary, which is coming up Muriel Beroza and Robert Peterson inspect ber Don Sandy for his efforts with this Sunday, October 16, 2011 beginning at 1 and enjoy a piece of art (a woodcarving) by annual festival. p.m. at The Royal Palace in Chicago Emil Janel at the Swedish American Hall in Everyone at the Thule Lodge hope Ridge, Illinois. In addition to contacting San Francisco. that the summer is a good time for all, Continued on page 12

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 11 Bessemer Lodge #203 Svea Lodge #296 Continued from page 11 Erie, PA many former Bessemer supporters, we’re also contacting former Solstrålar mem - bers. Solstrålen was an active Vasa Our lodge has a weekly Swedish language class that meets every Tuesday morning Children’s Club for more than 75 years. for two hours. We all take turns hosting the group of eight in our individual homes, As a matter of fact, the DJ for the event is Lisa Owen is our teacher, and we all help to provide lesson material – the lessons that former Solstråle, Mark Nilsson, who is a were provided in the Vasa Star have been used also. correspondent for a popular local TV Our lodge held its annual Spring Dinner on May 14th at the Maennenche Club. show in Chicago called 190 North. There were awards presented and a great Chinese auction. Marjorie and Harry Johnson More information on attending this received their 25-year membership pins. Our lodge is 97 years old. event or making raffle prize donations Submitted by: Linda Collin can be found on our Vasa website or by calling 773-239-1855 or 708-423-4057. Chairman Jim Pelzman and his wife, Pat Pelzman, our Chaplain promise to bring their dancing shoes!! This promises to be a really fun event so we hope to see many of you there. Submitted by: Susan A. Nilsson Brahe Lodge #245 Rockford, IL

Vasa Brahe Lodge #245 celebrated “Midsommar” in our beautiful new Vasa Park lodge building in Rockford IL on June 23, 2011. A potluck was supplied by a good showing of attending members for this special occasion. The delicious “smörgåsbord” consisted of “köttbullar ,” “sill ,” “ risgrynspudding ,” beans, corn pudding, potato salad, chocolate desserts, etc. We even had miniature “Majstänger” at the tables! Afterwards, Chairman Scott Johnson brought us up to date on our improving lodge finances and final touches on fin - May birthdays were honored at the dinner. Shown are Tom Johnson, Linda Collin, ishing our new lodge building. Vice- Marge Johnson, Sandra Miller and Alice Battersby. We sang “Ja, Må Han Leva.” Chairman David Tollin then discussed plans for future meetings. Mayflower Lodge #445 An enjoyable “Midsommar “celebra - tion was had by all! Torrance, CA Submitted by: D. G. Eksten The members of Mayflower Lodge own meat barbecue” and September 1st #445 are thrilled to announce they are will be our annual Meatball Contest. If settled in their new Lodge home at 18815 you are in the area please join us for these South Crenshaw Blvd. in Torrance, evenings of fun and happy fellowship. California. As you can see the Submitted by: Ann Kristine Hellgren, Scandinavian design of our building Chairperson holds true to our cultural roots. We held our first event in our new location this spring by having a social and game night. Each month we gather for a catered dinner and a short meeting afterward. On May 1st Mayflower Lodge cele - brated its’ 87th anniversary by hosting an open house and luncheon with 54 guests in attendance. It was a grand day for us. Members enjoying the “Smörgåsbord.” August 4th we will have a “bring your

Page 12 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Lindbergh Lodge #494 Norden Lodge #684 Torrance, CA Fresno, CA

Our meeting in early April required decorated Mother’s Day Cake. There Our April meeting started with a deli - some attention to business during the were about 66 people at the celebration. cious Easter potluck: one table with din - cocktail hour. The District #12 The Maid of Honor for our ner dishes and another table just for Convention will be meeting at the end of Midsummer Fest this year was Alexa desserts. We know how to keep our pri - the month. We were fortunate to have Wallin, granddaughter of our Past orities in proportion! We also learned The vice District Master Victoria Fedor- Chairman Chuck Wallin. To round out a about Swedish Easter traditions, and Thurman as a guest at our meeting. She very special evening, we had music by everyone got a chance to decorate an brought up the subject that we should all Jack Haderle and Jerry Clements, Easter egg to take home. One highlight be thinking of new ways to attract and Swedish of course. Dancing went on for of the evening was awarding an $800 keep new members. We need some fresh the rest of the evening. Our most eager scholarship to a most deserving high ideas. There was some discussion of the dancer was Tom Rossing who managed school student, Andreya Johnson. District meeting and things we needed to to swing several ladies around the floor. In May, George and Carole Sell gra - do to prepare for it by April 29-May 1. It was a splendid time for all of us. ciously opened their home to the Lodge We adjourned to the dining room Submitted by: Muriel Nelson Beroza m e m b ers for our annual celebration of where we were served salmon, a favorite Valborgsmässoafton. We did a Swedish entre. Our own cooks are so good at mak - Our June meeting began with a lively show-and-tell with members showing off ing it particularly delicious. There is social hour with about 70 members and their Swedish treasures and family heir - always a good crowd on salmon night; guests present. The guests (including looms and telling the stories behind each. we had about 60 enthusiastic diners. Our some prospective members), visitors We ate good food, drank refreshing bev - birthday members were serenaded and we from sister lodges and Sweden were erages, and ushered in spring with an then proceeded to the program. introduced. We proceeded to the banquet exuberant sing-along. Professor Thomas Rossing of the hall for a wonderful summer pot luck Here is Monica Shipley with home - Music Department at Stanford University dinner including many diverse items made treats for the bonfire party. is a member of our organization. He was from sill to sushi. We are hoping to get Norden Lodge does love to eat, so in Sweden in 1938 at the time of the the recipe for a new cheese fruit bake. we had another potluck dinner in June. Nobel Prize festivities. He requested the We serenaded the June birthdays, kids We want to feed our minds as well as our privilege to attend the ceremonies and and initiated three lovely ladies as new stomachs, though, so we also enjoyed an was pleased to be invited. He brought members: Ginny Nelson, Roni Haderle interesting and informative program on back a visual presentation of the whole and Lynn Bollen. Leroy Anderson, son of Swedish emi - event, from the first entrance of the King Kils Dragspel Klubb from Värmland grants who became a hugely successful and his party and then the 1938 Nobel entertained . The accordionists were composer of light orchestral music. Prize winners. We were able to see the Anders Johansson, Herb Lundin, Christer Many of his pieces were introduced to ceremonial presentations by the King to Falkenstrom and Anne Marie Karlsson, the world by the Boston Pops. the honored prize winners. This was fol - (also the vocalist). The group also fea - Submitted by: Judith Harless lowed by the dinner, the dance and the tured Stig Johansson, bass guitar and entire celebration. It was spectacular. I Mats Gustafsson, violin. They were am sure that no one in our audience has joined by our local talent: Carolyn even been to one of these prestigious Anderson, “fiol and durspel,” Eric affairs. It was a very special treat to allow Lundin, on accordion. They also per - us into the inner circle of Nobel formed at our 118th Midsummer Festival Celebrations. in Sveadal. We were also treated to solos May is always a very welcomed meet - by two of our local troubadours Jan ing time. We celebrate Mother’s Day. All Nordin and Dag Forssell. duties and functions for the evening are What a wonderful evening. No one performed with great skill by the men. went home early. Those who were not The only woman on duty that night was dancing were tapping toes and singing our new Bar Chief Ronni Haderle. It was along. her initiation into the work of making sure that the favored libations are avail - able and served with a napkin. This night all of the ladies whether mother’s or not were treated to their preferred beverage. The money, food, drink, table setting…everything was done by the men. The dinner was nicely served and quite delicious. No tips from the distaff side were needed. We had chicken, pota - Marci Johansson presenting scholarship to salad, bread, ice cream and a fancy check to Andreya Johnson.

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 13 Scandinavia of Sun City West, held a Vinland of Cape Cod Lodge #703 joint early midsummer celebration at the Cape Cod, MA home of Cultural Leader Anne Levig. The Scandinavian heritage group gath - ered on the patio of the host’s home for an American style picnic, complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and baked beans, as well as Swedish herring and other delicacies. Officers of the group decorated a may - pole with flowers and traditional Swedish colors of yellow and blue. Members, whose heritage represented the five Scandinavian nations, shared information about midsummer customs and traditions in each of the five countries. Swedish coffee and cake, in honor of Midsummer Fest, celebrated as one large happy family. the birthdays of two Vasa members, con - An important goal for Vasa is to share new potatoes, green beans, lingonberries, cluded the day’s celebration. our culture and customs with others. In pickled beets, “limpa, knäckebröd ” and April our Maypole and woodcut Viking Vivian Lundquist’s lemon cake. Another traveled to an International Festival spon - opportunity to visit with friends over a Viking Lodge #730 sored by a local school district. delicious meal! Flint, MI Traditional foods, entertainment and dis - Our Midsummer Fest on June 18 fea - plays from 24 countries attracted many tured beautiful programs crafted by families. Our members in traditional cos - Marilyn and Evind Sohoel and Debbie tumes greeted visitors at our display Goldberg. We sat as one large noisy fam - tables laden with utilitarian and decora - ily eating our picnic lunches while Sonya tive Scandinavian items. Emma Brimdyr, Westerback and George Hedlund played costumed as Lucia and her sister Kyra as Scandinavian selections on their accor - an honor maid, ably answered questions dions. Early summer flowers were placed from admirers. Travel brochures and col - on our Maypole and round and round we oring pages were very popular too. danced to folk music. Debbie Goldberg A “Pound, Pint, Quart, Yard and photographed our customary Vinland Gallon” Auction benefited our scholar - family portrait by the Maypole. What a ship fund. Our 2011 recipient, Kelsey welcome to summer on a perfect mid - Lotti of Finnish descent, will major in the summer day! field of physical therapy. She’s a top- We are so grateful to have had won - ranked student and captain of her high derful experiences renewing friendships school sailing team. with our elder members who have recent - Women in Swedish costumes: Left to right . May brought our Swedish meatball ly been able to attend our functions again. Sharone Borgers , Carole Erickson , Lila Wood and Christine Johnson . luncheon with “köttbullar, inlagd gurka ,” Submitted by: Dorothy Kean Solstad Lodge #709 June 26, 2011. What a beautiful sum - mer day for our Midsummer Celebration. Sun City, AZ We were again privileged to join in the festivities at the Vasa Country Club near Lapeer, MI. The grounds include a com - munity of homes which surround a small lake with swimming for young and old and, a floating raft for the more adventur - ous swimmers. A large pavilion provided plenty of room for tables that accommo - dated approximately 100 participants. Viking Lodge #730 was well represented with 27 members, family and friends. The smorgasbord tables were covered with the best of Swedish food which included Johnson’s surprise, cucumber Members of Solstad Lodge #709 and members of Club Scandinavia shared a joint Midsummer slices in vinegar, meatballs, beets, baked celebration in Sun City West, Arizona. fish, etc. Topping off the meal was a vari - Members of Solstad Lodge #709, Sun City West, AZ, and members of Club ety of desserts.

Page 14 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Viking Lodge #730 Continued from page 14

Music and sing along sheets were offered by Roy Borger (accordian) and Hazel Johnson (keyboard). It is always a challenge trying to sing in Swedish lingo. Gun Stoll and her large crew of mostly teenagers (glad to see) decorated the Maypole with Swedish flags and a multi - tude of colorful fresh flowers. The per - manently located, pivoting pole was erected easily for everyone to admire and dance around many times. How could you not have had a good time; perfect weather, good friends, good food and wonderful facilities! Can’t wait until next year (maybe bring along a bathing suit?) Have to think about that. Submitted by : Ron/Dee Carlson Viking Lodge #730 attendee’s in front of the Maypole .

Sierra Kronan Lodge #737 Jubileum Roseville, CA Lodge #755 Looking back at our lodge meetings days of fasting, during which no eggs Madison, WI this spring, we remember the April cul - were allowed in meals, they were a spe - Our last regular program of the spring, tural presentation on Easter in Sweden. cial treat. Eggs were not only consumed, held on Sunday, April 10th at Good Swedes keep to the Astronomical cycle they were also painted to fight off bad Shepherd Lutheran, featured founding calendar and celebrate Easter on the first spirits. member and past chairman Lowell Sunday after the first full moon after the In Skåne, southern Sweden, kids used Nordling, who explored pre-Columbian spring solstice. Members Carl Pearson to roll eggs down the sandy dunes along America through the works of three and Carol Nesewich presented “Easter in the coast to watch them collide with each authors, Gavin Menzies, Charles Mann, Sweden - Meeting Spring Head On” with other and spill all over the slope. The big and C. Fred Rydholm. According to bright yellow daffodils, birch twigs, and sea wall north of Kivik is still called Lowell, there was a lot going on in North good food. In addition to daffodils, Äggabackarna or the Egg Hills. In certain America before 1492, and some of it known as lilies in Sweden and “påskris ,” parts of the country the custom of might even have involved Scandinavians. was a display of Swedish Easter cards or “äggapickning “ was observed. People By far the best-documented Viking “Påskkort “ obtained from a book store in gathered on Easter morning with site is at L’Anse Aux Meadows, Arvika, Easter-themed photos from hardboiled eggs in their pockets. Two Newfoundland, from about 1000 AD. But “Kvällstunden ,” and an enlarged picture players stood opposite each other, one did Vikings also explore the North of Blue Mountain or “Blåkulla “ complete holding his egg still and the other using American interior via the St. Lawrence with small figures of witches flying his for attack. The winner was the one River and the Great Lakes, and via about. We were reminded that in Sweden whose egg remained unbroken. This was Hudson Bay and the Red River? little girls dressed up as witches go door supposed to bring good luck through There are tantalizing hints . Lewis and to door with their coffee pots, expecting the coming year. With a little encourage - Clark reported that the Mandan tribe had to get them filled with small change or ment, Sierra Kronan members lined up a more settled lifestyle than most Plains candy. Sometimes they deliver Easter and paired off to tap their eggs one Indians, and that some of them had typi - cards, and surprisingly, even if the family against the other, the Red Egg cally light skin and hair, suggesting influ - isn’t home, the child is welcome to open Team against the Yellow. Traditionally ential encounters with Europeans well the door, throw the card inside and go on the eggs were dyed yellow using onion before the French in the 1700s. The her way. We were reminded that food peels, and red using beet juice. We had Kensington Rune stone, found in served during the Easter season would lots of fun and Raye Brown was the Minnesota in the late 1800s, was alleged - likely include “semlor “; we ate cream winner. Under the strictest rules of the ly carved by the dying members of an puffs instead of Shrove Tuesday buns but contest, we would have had Raye peel expedition up the Red River from after all they are ‘similar’ to “semlor .” her egg and eat it to prove it wasn’t a Hudson Bay. The Swedish-born editor of The Easter Sunday meal is often laid like fake. the Ashland, WI newspaper encountered a “smörgåsbord “ and could include Submitted by : Carol Nesewich an Indian who spoke words which, to his spring lamb (a relatively recent tradition), tribe, were magic, but sounded remark - herring, salmon, potatoes in some form, ably like Swedish. other side dishes, and eggs. After forty

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 15 Jubileum Lodge #755 Two were made with whole yellow peas, Continued from page 15 while the other two used split yellow peas, more easily found in our locale. It’s generally agreed that Columbus Hans Fride re-told the history of pea knew that the earth was round, not flat. soup. People have been eating it for thou - But did he also have maps showing that sands of years, because dried peas are his real destination wasn’t the Far East, easily transported, highly nutritious, and but an entire continent between Europe easily prepared. The tradition of Pea and Asia ? That’s the opinion of Gavin Soup Thursday goes back to pre- Menzies. In his book 1434, he describes Reformation Sweden, and the need to eat Chinese armadas of the 14th and 15th something that would stick with you centuries that explored the entire globe. through the Friday fast day. Unlike some They supposedly reached Italy, bringing other Swedish traditional foods, pea soup maps showing the Americas , and dia - is still widely eaten in Sweden. It’s even Dylan Bender grams which da Vinci modified to pro - available, ready-made, frozen in plastic duce many of his astounding inventions. sleeves with metal-crimped ends, like the Dylan Bender, son of Daniel and Carol Viking and Chinese explorers might ones used in America for breakfast Bender of Wisconsin Rapids, has been have found far more in North America sausage. That led to a brief digression awarded a scholarship from Lake than we presently think. The Cahokia site about the much wider variety of foods Michigan District Lodge #8. Dylan will in Illinois east of St. Louis was once a available in such sleeves, or tubes with be studying Environmental Engineering city of 40,000 inhabitants. But according screw-on caps, in Sweden than in at Michigan Tech. Dylan is a five-sum - to Charles Mann, author of 1491 , America. mer alumnus of Sjölunden (Concordia Cahokia was just one of many such cities, As is our custom, anyone who wanted Swedish Language Village), an Honor a remnant of a civilization of 10 million shared a Swedish saying or proverb. Roll student and 1st Team All- people in the Mississippi Valley, going Lowell Nordling recalled, “He who wish - Conference football player at Lincoln back several thousand years BC, and sus - es to sing will find a song,” which led to High, an Eagle Scout, and an acolyte at tained by an extensive trade in grain, fur, the invention of another one, on the spot. St. John’s Episcopal Church. The future and copper. “He who wishes to complain will find is in good hands. Congratulations, Dylan! C. Fred Rydholm’s Michigan something to complain about.” Ulla Submitted by: Robert Merrill, Copper—the Untold Story: A History of Swanson shared, “Small, small words of Historian Discovery provides additional evidence love, said every day, and your home for a worldwide trade in American cop - becomes a heaven and your life becomes per. During his lifelong explorations of pleasant.” Barbara Furstenburg quoted, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula he found “Up like the sun, flat as a pancake, such numerous excavations and artifacts, is life.” That led to a discussion of the Nordic Red Rock including a pit-furnace 20 feet deep and idiom “flat as a pancake,” which in the 10 feet across, cut into rock, and a 3500- proverb appears to refer to death, but in Lodge #760 lb. copper nugget that had been partially America refers to land which is, well, flat Sedona, AZ excavated before being abandoned. as a pancake. Copper was important throughout the The sayings came thick and fast—I’m Don Rosenow and Pete Peterson, ancient world, both “as is ” and as bronze, sorry I couldn’t keep up with all who remensitic of Legendary Swedish come - an alloy with tin. Rydholm claims that shared one or what they were. Many had dians, Olson and Johnson presented a more copper was used throughout the heard, “Away is good but home is best.” program on Viking ship finds in comic ancient world than was available from “What breaks in a moment takes years to fashion. Don acting as an investigative local sources, and also that the amount of mend .” “ One cannot live on beauty, but Swedish newspaper reporter finds a copper removed from Michigan was far one can die for it.” “Don’t throw away recluse Swede building a model Viking more than that found in North American the old bucket until you’re sure that the ship while living in a cave in the deepest artifacts. So he hypothesized a world- new one holds water.” “When sin drives, and darkest part of Småland. As Don wide trade , involving Egyptians, shame sits in the back seat.” “A piece of continues with the interview, he discov - Carthaginians, Celts, and Chinese, with bread in the pocket is better than a feather ers that Pete Peterssonssonson-And- 80% of the copper coming from the in the cap.” “A woman’s heart sees more Then-Son, is the oldest known living Upper Peninsula . than ten men’s eyes.” And, with Viking; born in 1011. As Lowell Nordling put it, “These sto - “Midsommar” just around the corner, Don and Pete’s bantar, dialogue and ries inhabit our world. They personalize “Midsommar” night is short, but it sets slides in Power Point of archeological it.” many cradles rocking.” Our “Mid - artifacts and history of Viking ship dis - We held our annual Pea Soup, sommar” celebration, so far as I know, is coveries presented a hilarious discourse Pancakes, and Proverbs dinner at Arbor strictly G-rated. We also heard a few on Nordic history. Peterssonson, son’s Covenant Church in the evening of Norwegian jokes. head attire of rag mop for hair and cook - Thursday, May 12. During Pea Soup Thanks to Gunnard Swanson and ing cauldron as a helmet spoofed the idea night we had four pots of pea soup. It’s Gloria Waity for making the pancakes, of Vikings wearing horns. That erroneous always fun to sample variations of this and to the others who brought “lingon,” idea seemed to have started in New York simple, familiar food. Various blends of flatbread, and cheese. thyme, marjoram, and ginger were used. We are also proud to announce that

Page 16 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Nordic Red Rock Nordic Folk Lodge #761 Lodge #760 Munster, IN Continued from page 16 Nordik Folk began April with the first meeting of its newly formed Genealogy at the turn off the century when the opera Club on April 4th. Over ten Nordik Folk members turned out for the initial informa - society of that city decided to put on a tive meeting led by Herb Smith, who has been working on his family tree and wanted Nordic presentation. The director cast to share some of the things he’s learned along the way. The first meeting was a great about for a robust characterization of a overview for the beginner with information on how to fill out your Ancestral Chart Viking and came up width idea of adding and Family Group Records to navigating all of the online resources. His main goal horns to the helmet. Needless to say was to help us gather as much information as possible using free sources. Genealogy Nordic Red Rock Lodge spent a hilarious Club will meet monthly from September-June on the first Monday of each month; and hour or more listening to the interview of Herb is available as a consultant to members in between meetings. the Petterssonsonson-And-Then-son old - Our Cultural Program for the April Business meeting was cancelled, but Cultural est living Viking!!! All spoken in Engel- Leader Michelle Westlund is saving it for a rainy day. Svensk! Our second Genealogy Club was held on May 2nd, where Herb Smith talked about Submitted by: where to start. He walked us through inputting information into a useful “Standard Data Base” (Geni, Ancestry etc.), utilizing the local public library genealogy online program “heritage Quest,” and then how to read what you’ve found. From May 13-15 Nordik Folk #761 delegates Annelise Nelson and Barbara Hannigan attended the 103rd Annual Convention of District Lodge Lake Michigan #8 which was hosted by The District Lodge Executive Board. Congratulations to them on a wonderfully planned and enjoyable convention! Many Nordik Folk members attend - ed the convention and all came away with fond memories. Nordik Folk Members Rachel Hannigan and Katie Westlund were recipients of District College Scholarships and were present to receive their awards. Our May business meeting was spent recapping the District Convention and dis - cussing ways to expand our local lodge membership, which for us has been an ongo - ing topic. We hope to expand our outreach in the community by holding more cultural events and publicizing more thoroughly. One thing we hope to do is open up our Genealogy Club to the community. We are also hoping to start our own Annual Midsommar Celebration in Northwest Indiana. Submitted by: Linnea Ogrentz Don Rosenow and Pete Peterson.

Genealogy Club Mentor Herb Smith speaking to members Les Lesko, Beth and Fred Raddatz, David Andersson, Annalisa Blue, Lynda Smith, Kristen Schmal, Lisa Pearson, Michael Pearson Sr., Susan Flores, Janice Tomky, and Michelle Westlund.

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 17 SWEDISH LODGE NEWS Logen Logen Göteborg Nr 452 Karlstad Nr 632 I mars månad varje år ordnar Sveriges Sol och värme hälsade Kerstin Lane i Släktforskarförbund “Släktforskningens Karlstad inför hennes officiella dag” runt om i landet. I Göteborg utnämnande som Årets Svensk-Amerikan arrangerades eventet av några lokala släk - vid Sverige-Amerikadagen i Filipstad den tforskarföreningar i samarbete med 30 juli. Göteborgs Stadsbibliotek. Vår loge fick I samband med en middag på Sverige en av inbjudningarna att vara med som Amerika Centret tillsammans med utställare under de tre dagar som det påg - medlemmar ur Logen Karlstad Nr 632, ick. Vi fick även göra en presentation om berättade Kerstin att hon stod och såg ut Vasa Orden i bibliotekets hörsal. Denna över Chicago, där hon bor, när hon fick inbjudan kunde vi med glädje ställa upp telefonsamtalet om att hon blivit utsedd på. till 2011 års Svensk-Amerikan . Hon Under ett par veckor jobbades det kände sig mycket ödmjuk inför denna febrilt i logen med planeringsmöten för utnämning. “Tänk att jag som kommer framtagande av informationsmaterial och från den skånska myllan har nominerats bilder. Utställningsväggarna i vår monter Sy Charlotte Börjesson och Sy Irma Delfs är till Årets Svensk-Amerikan! ” skulle dekoreras och bemanningsschema nöjda med sin dag i montern. Ett “Get Together Party” under i montern under tre dagar behövde värdskap av Karlstads kommun , upprättas. Traditionsenligt firade LL Nr 452 arangerades av bl a Cathrine Bringselius- Det var full aktivitet när drygt 15 st. Göteborg ”examensdagen” den 4 juli på Nilsson ledamot av utställare på fredagsmorgon var på plats Slätskäddegatan i Fiskebäck i vackert utnämningskommittén. på biblioteket då väggar, bord och stolar väder. Visst kan väl Amerikas Kerstin Lane har byggt upp Swedish skulle ställas på plats. Vid lunchtid var Nationaldag även kallas för Vasa Ordens American Museum i Chicago från det invigning och sedan var det en strid stora högtidsdag? Generös och gästvänlig blygsamma ett rum till ett fyravåningars ström av besökare i dagarna tre. värd var O Ola Hansson. Ett tjugotal kulturcentrum . Besöksantalet var 2 000 år Uppskattningsvis besöktes dagarna av logesyskon och gäster från LL Nr 702, 1986 och har idag ökat till 45 000. Hon flera tusen personer och till vår loges Kongahälla hade tillfälle att närvara. har också varit Generalkonsul för Sverige monter kom det hela tiden besökare i Välkomstdrinken svalkade perfekt i som - i Illinois och avtackades i juni i år, men olika åldrar. De flesta ville veta vad Vasa marhettan! hon tjänstgör fortfarande i avvaktan på en Orden är för något och det var just det Festligheterna inleddes med en quiz, efterträdare. Kerstin var vidare som vår information i huvudsak handlade (som det är ok att kalla frågesport initiativtagare vid bildanden av Chicago om. Vårt mål och förhoppning var ju numera). Åtta lag bildades som fick ge Cultural Alliance 2007 och är fortfarande också att få nya medlemmar som säker - sig ut på den snitslade banan med penna aktiv som ordförande. Hon var också ställer vår loges framtid. och papper. drivande vid bildandet av De besökare som hade emigranter i sin Tio frågor om Amerika och Vasa lokalavdelningen för SWEA i Chicago. släkt fick information om Vasa Arkivet Orden pockade på svar. Vet du kanske I sitt tacktal berättade Kerstin Lane att och om deras medlemsböcker. Vasa mellan vilka delstater huvudstaden när hon är i USA , är Sverige hemma och Arkivet kommer på sikt att skanna in Washington ligger? Har du koll på vilket när hon är i Sverige , är USA hemma. böckerna så att det blir digitalt sökbart. år USAs nuvarande flagga antogs eller Arbetet med att bygga upp Swedish Att det idag finns ett sökbart register med hur många medlemmar Vasa Orden har American Museum har tagit mycken tid i ca 58000 st. Vasa-medlemmar (EMI- totalt? Efter quizen hissade Vincent Höjer anspråk och hennes man har påpekat att VASA) utgiven på CD-skivorna Stjärnbaneret och vi stämde alla upp The de har fyra barn, tre av kött och blod och Emigranten 2001 och Emigranten Star-Spangled Banner. så museet! Populär 2006 var inte så känt. I registret Nu var det dags att njuta av läcker - Insänt av: Barbro Bucht, KL framgår bl. a. namn, födelse och vilken heterna från Olas grill. Tre olika sallader, loge medlemmen tillhörde. Den informa - majs och tomater bjöds till den baconin - tionen kan vara en pusselbit och historia lindade fläskfilén. Och som om det inte om en släkting som eftersöks. var nog trollade Ola fram äppelpaj med A Vasa-bridge to your I hörsalen informerade logens cere - en fantastiskt god och nyttig sås … Tre Swedish ancestors! monimästare Birgit Lindblad Vasa lag fick dela på segern i den svåra quizen. Ordens historia och kulturledare Men alla så fick vi med oss ett mycket Looking for your relatives in Sweden? Charlotte Börjesson om Kontakt Amerika fint minne hem från den trevliga och I have helped many satisfied och de möjligheter som är av intresse för glada festen i Fiskebäck! Vasa-members finding their Swedish roots. släktforskarna. Insänt av: Margareta Ruthagen/ Further info please e -mail: Insänt av Charlotte Börjesson, KL Monica Olsson [email protected]

Page 18 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Logen Höganäs Nr 634 sammans med sin far finns med på vårt Charterbrev. Vi avslutade träffen på Slottscaféet. Den 6:e juni, Sveriges Nationaldag, firades i Tivoliparken i Höganäs. I fan - borgen deltog Br Jan Berg, Br Kent Andréasson, Sy Barbro Carlson och Br Leif Larsson. Efteråt träffades vi hemma hos Sy Ingrid och Br Jan Berg. Vi var 23 Vasasyskon som intog macka med ”gub - bröra” och lite förfriskningar därtill. Vädret var fint så det blev långbord i trädgården. Under vårt Sverige-Amerikamöte den 2 juli 2011, hälsade vår Ordförande Sy Evy Lindstrand 81 st Ordensyskon Br Jan Berg framför Krapperups slott. välkomna till årets Sverige-Amerikamöte Vid kulturmötet lördagen den 16 april 2011 samlade ett 50-tal Vasamedlemmar. O på Vikens Hemgård. Vi hade tre gäster Sy Evy Lindstrand från LL Skåne Nr 570 och LL Carlscrona Nr 601 välkomnades till från Amerika, Br Bertil Winther, Logen kvällens möte. Golden Valley Nr 616, Sy Siv Svan BCM och BCMA Br Ola och Sy Maj Sandberg tjänstgjorde som Ceremonimästare Pierson, Scandinavia Lodge Nr 667 och på ett föredömligt sätt. Föregående mötes protokoll upplästes och godkändes och PS Br Wayne Pierson, Nordic Lodge Nr 660 Sy Carina Nilsson läste upp inkomna kallelser. O Sy Evy Lindstrand läste upp som infördes och hälsades välkomna. nomineringskommitténs förslag till nya Distriktstjänstemän, varvid det framkom att Bland gästande ordenssyskon märktes vår VO Br Karl-Axel Bengtsson nominerats till CDM i DL 20. Vi gratulerar BR Karl- bl.a. SLD Br Åke Mellnert, Logen Axel till nomineringen! Christian Nr 617, DM Br Olle Efter sedvanliga rapporter från FS och K upplästes motioner och ändringsförslag Wickström, Logen Skåne Nr 570. DLH inför årets Distriktsmöte. Logen beslutade helt enligt styrelsens förslag. Mötet avslu - Sy Anita Nilsson, Logen Skåne Nr 570. tades med en vacker ljussläckningsceremoni. Gäster kom även från Logen Carlscrona Den arrangerande gruppen hade dukat borden i vårens färger och en god middag Nr 601, Logen Kärnan Nr 608 och från bestående av honungsmarinerad skinkstek med tillbehör serverades. O Sy Evy Logen Nybyggarna Nr 698. Denna kväll Lindstrand kunde hälsa fick vi också tre ny medlemmar. Sy ytterligare tre gäster Kerstin Nilsson, Br Calle Nilsson och Br välkomna till Mats Malmström. Dom hälsades varmt efterkapitlet, gäster välkomna till Logen Höganäs Nr 634. som förhoppningsvis Fanparaden utfördes av Br Kenneth blev medlemmar i vår Nilsson, Sy Inger Bengtsson, Br Sixten loge på Sverige- Bengtsson och Sy Bodil Larsson. Amerika mötet i juli. Prologen till fanorna lästes av Sy Maj-Lis Efter kaffe och god Friedman. hembakad kaka intogs Efter Kontakt Amerika , läste KL Sy scenen av Ros-Marie Ingrid Berg upp hälsningar från bl.a. vän - Greén och Johan loger i USA. LH, Br Gunnar Lindstrand, Isberg som spelade och berättade om Oscarsstatyetten. Mötet avs - sjöng många kända lutades med en vacker ljussläckningscer - melodier och snart blev emoni. Efter lite förfriskningar bjöds det det också en livlig all - till bankett. KL. sång. Sy Ingrid Berg talade till de nya Husbandet spelade medlemmarna och hälsade dem välkom - upp till dans och som na till Logen Höganäs Nr 634. Tacktalet Br Wayne Pierson från Nordic lodge nr 660 blir serverad lax med vanligt fylldes golvet hölls av nye medlemmen Br Calle tillbehör med O Sy Eva Lindstrand, Sy Carina Norén och Br snabbt med dansglada Nilsson. Gunnar Lindstrand tittar på. Vasasyskon. Många Efter maten bjöds det upp till dans och glada vinnare kunde hämta fina vinster vid lotteridragningen och så var även denna golvet fylldes snabbt. Gert Reinhold stod trevliga Vasakväll till ända. för musiken denna kväll. I Söndagen den 29 maj 2011, var vi 24 Vasasyskon som träffades utanför Drömreselotteriet gick högsta vinsten till Krapperups slott som ligger c:a 5 km utanför Höganäs stad. Slottet är en av Skånes Br Karl-Axel Bengtsson. Kvällen var slut äldsta och historiskt sett viktigaste sätesgårdar med anor från 1300-talet. Här finns och vi gick alla hem efter en som vanligt också en naturromantisk park med porlande bäckar, slingrande stigar och flera exo - lyckad Vasakväll. tiska träd. Insänt av: Ingrid Berg, KL Där fick vi en mycket fin guidning genom slottet av Margareta Johnsson, som till - Bilder av: Ingrid Berg, KL

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 19 med en trumpetfanfar. Så var det dags för Logen det spännande ögonblicket då Kongahälla Nr 702 Vikingahövdingen Br Morgan Andersson skulle tillkännage namnen på de utsedda DL Norra Sverige Nr 19 hade sitt vikingarna. Distriktsmöte i Kungälv den 27 – 29 maj Årets Viking , skall vara en kvinna eller 2011, där Logen Kongahälla Nr 702 var man, samt ha på ett förtjänstfullt sätt rep - värdloge. resenterat Logen Kongahälla Nr 702. Det finns många anekdoter och berät - Hedersvikingar, behöver inte vara telser från vikingatiden om möten som ägt medlemmar i Vasa Orden av Amerika, rum i trakten av Kongahälla, nuvarande men skall på ett förtjänstfullt sätt ha gag - Kungälv, som t.ex. Norges kung Olav nat Vasa Orden av Amerika eller Logen Honorary Vikings Tryggvassons möte med Sigrid Storråda, Kongahälla Nr 702. då de skulle göra upp om sina giftermåls - Till Årets Viking utsågs Logen bankett under lördagen den 28:e maj. Kvä planer, vilkets sägs ha ägt rum år 997. Kongahällas nuvarande Ordförande Br llens värdpar Br Lars-Gunnar och Sy Ulla Trekungamötet ägde rum 1101 på Sune Börjesson som förutom varit Vice Börjesson hälsade alla välkomna. En Kungsvallen vid Landamäret. Det sägs att Ordförande även varit Kulturledare. Till mycket god supé serverades och vid för - det då var den danske kungen, Erik Årets Hedersvikingar utsågs här SM Br rätten utbringades först ett leve för Ejegod, som tog initiativet till mötet med Bill Lundquist samt VSM Br Tore Sveriges Konung som följdes av kung Magnus Olavsson av Norge, även Kellgren. Samtliga fick mottaga ett diplom Kungssången samt därefter ett leve för kallad Magnus Barfot samt Inge och en viking, snidad i trä. USA:s President där det sjöngs USA:s Stenkilsson av Sverige. Mötet var avsett Efter denna ceremoni var det dags att nationalsång. Tal hölls av SM Br Bill att skapa fred mellan länderna. Med detta inmundiga kvällens supé. För underhåll - Lundquist och DM Br Einar Savolainen som bakgrund var det naturligt för Logen ningen denna kväll svarade Logen Grön. Kongahälla Nr 702, att redan från början Kongahällas medlemmar, som framförde Efter supén framförde Vasa välja en viking som sin symbol. Man kan en Fritiof Andersson-kavalkad med musik Aktivitetsklubb Nr 10 Vasakören med väl då också tycka att det var en lämplig och texter av Evert Taube. musiker, under ledning av Sy Inger plats att samla Vasavänner från såväl Ett 80-tal Vasasyskon var då samlade i Uneback, ett antal sånger, på ett mycket Storlogen i USA som Distriktslogen Norra möteslokalen för invigningen av uppskattat sätt. Sedan var det dags för Sverige Nr 19 och Distriktslogen Södra Distriktsmötet, på lördag morgon. kaffe samt dans. Sverige Nr 20 till att diskutera om vad Gästande Distrikts- och Storlogetjänstemän För de Vasasyskon som inte deltog i som är det bästa för Vasa Orden av infördes i fyra omgångar. Alla presenter - Distriktsmötet, hade man arrangerat en Amerika. ades för Logen där de fick sina speciella utfärd till Marstrand. Ett drygt 20-tal delta - Flertalet av deltagarna samlades tidigt välkomstord av DM Br Einar Savolainen gare färdades dit i bilar, där det blev en på fredagen på Hotell Fars Hatt i Kungälv Grön. guidad visning på Carlstens Fästning samt där mötet och inkvarteringar har varit. DM Br Einar Savolainen Grön lämnade lunch innan återfärden. På söndag förmid - Gäster som bodde på hotellet fick vid så över till O Br Sune Börjesson i Logen dag var det även arrangerat en guidad van - ankomsten en liten viking med en historik Kongahälla Nr 702 som hälsade alla delta - dring utmed Kungälvs gamla fina byg - om vikingastaden Kongahälla. Glädjande garna välkomna till Kungälv och startade gnader på Västra Gatan för ett 10-tal var det, att ha Stormästare Br Bill ett inslag i invignings-ceremonin. Vassyskon. Lundquist med hustru Sheila samt Vice Distriktsceremonimästarna ledsagade in en Ett bildspel om Kungälv och Stormästare Br Tore Kellgren med hustru fanparad med två nyckelharpspelande Marstrand samt om Logen Kongahällas Birgitta som gäster. damer som förutom ingångsmusiken historia, visades kontinuerligt, på en stor Sedan 2002 har Logen Kongahälla årli - spelade två folklåtar. Sy Inger Uneback TV-apparat i hotellets sällskapsrum. gen haft en speciell Vikingadag och med sjöng och Br Maths Fredriksson spelade Logen Kongahälla fick många uppskat - detta som bakgrund valde Logen att starta Inbjudan till Bohuslän , varefter uttåget tande ord för hur detta Distriktsmöte Distriktsmötesdagarna med denna fest - skedde med musik och uppskattande genomförts. lighet. applåder. Insänt av: Rolf Claesson. Drygt 175 Vasasyskon från SL, DL Distriktsmötets öppnande med de sed - Foto: Leif Nilsson Norra Sverige Nr 19, DL Södra Sverige vanliga inledande punkterna, där det bl a Nr 20 samt från många svenska lokalloger var reception för 23 nya Distrikts - Lodge Kongahälla #702 i Sverige samlades i Restaurang Fars Hatt logemedlemmar, parentation hölls för åtta DL Northern Sweden #19 had their dis - på fredagskvällen. Många av Logen Distriktsloge-medlemmar som avlidet trict meeting in Kungälv on 27 – 29 May Kongahällas medlemmar var klädda i sina under den gångna terminen. 2011, Lodge Kongahalla #702 served as tidstypiska vikingakläder. Alla deltagarna Nomineringen och val av de olika tjän - the host lodge. bjöds först på en välkomstskål där värdlo - stemännen och kommittéerna samt instal - There are many anecdotes and stories gens O Br Sune Börjesson hälsade alla lation av Distriktstjänstemännen gjordes from the Viking age on meetings that have deltagarna hjärtligt välkomna, varefter av SLD Br Tore Tellberg, på ett mycket taken place in the neighborhood of Vikingahövdingen Br Morgan Andersson förtjänstfullt sätt. Kongahälla, now Kungälv, e.g. The frågade om några fiender var siktade i DM Sy Ewa Pilhammar Andersson Norwegian King Olav Tryggvassons grannskapet. Bitr Vikingahövdingen Br tackade för förtroendet att ännu en gång meeting with Sigrid Storråda, to arrange Jan-Eric Berntsson rapporterade att så inte bli vald till Distriktsmästare. for their wedding plans, it was said to have var fallet och inledde kvällens festligheter Drygt 180 Vasasyskon samlades till Continued on page 21

Page 20 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Logen Kongahälla Nr 702 for the banquette. Lodge Kongahällas lunch before returning. There were also members were responsible for the enter - guided tours arranged along the old build - Continued from page 20 tainment that performed song of Fritiof ings at Kungälv West Street for a 10 Vasa taken place in 997. The three kings meet - Andersson, with music and lyrics by Evert members. ing took place 1101 at Landamäret near Taube. A slideshow of Kungälv and Kongahälla. It is said that it was King Eric Some 80 Vasa members gathered in the Marstrand including Kongahällas history I of Denmark that initiated the meeting meeting room for the opening of the ran continuously, at a large TV in the with King Magnus Olavsson of Norway, District meeting on Saturday morning. hotel's lounges. also known as Magnus of Norway, and Visiting District and GL members were Kongahälla Lodge received many Inge Stenkilsson of Sweden. The meeting introduced in four different groups. They appreciative words for the way this district was intended to create peace between the were all called up to the stage where meeting was conducted. countries. With this in mind, it was appro - everyone had their special welcoming Submitted by: Rolf Claesson. priate to gather friends from both the words from DM Einar Savolainen Grön. Foto: Leif Nilsson United States as the GL, DL Northern Chairman Sune Börjesson from Lodge Sweden #19 and DL Southern Sweden Kongahälla #702 greeted all participants #20 to discuss the future of The Vasa welcome to Kungälv and started the inau - Logen Order of America. gural ceremony. Masters of ceremonies The majority of participants gathered was escorted during a flag parade while Filbyer Nr 714 early on Friday at hotel's Fars Hatt in two women played two folk songs on “key Det blir nog så att Filbyter måste byta Kungälv where meeting and the accom - fiddles.” Inger Uneback sang and Maths lokal nästa gång de ordnar Brödernas modation facilities were held. Guests, who Fredriksson played Invitation to Bohuslän , Afton , det var fullsatt till ”sista bänk” på stayed at the hotel, received upon arrival a after which the exodus took place with våravslutningen . Nu skall sägas också att small viking with including the history of music and appreciative applause. Damernas Afton inte står långt efter the Viking city of Kongahälla. We were It was then time for District opening bröderna, sade SY Lisbeth H Qvarfordt fortunate to have GM Bill Lundquist with with the usual introductory paragraphs, när hon tackade för den goda supén wife Sheila and Deputy Grand Master there was e.g. a reception for 23 new DL och den fantastiska underhållningen Tore Kellgren with wife Birgitta as guests. members, and a last tribute was held for under kvällen. Det blev alltså en lyckad On Friday evening the stage was set to eight DL members that we lost during the våravslutning med Logen Filbyter. celebrate Viking Day , a tradition that start - past semester. Logemötet styrdes med sedvanlig ed in 2002 and is held annually, an appro - Nomination and election of officers, elegans av Ordf. Arne Samuelsson. priate way to kick off the District meeting. committees and the installation of district Många viktiga punkter var snart More than 175 Vasa members from the officials were made by the GLD Tore genomgågna , alla väntade med spänning GL, DL Northern Sweden #19, DL Tellberg, in a very creditable way. DM på efterkapitlet och Brödernas Afton. Southern Sweden #20, as well as from Ewa Pilhammar-Andersson thanked for Ingen risk för nedläggning tack vare att many Swedish local lodges in Sweden the confidence to once again be elected logen arbetar hela tiden med att få nya gathered at Restaurant Fars Hatt on Friday DM. medlemmar. Inte sätter de sig till ro och evening. Many of Kongahällas members Under the “Wellness of the Order” DM tror att det går av sig självt. Det är were dressed in Viking clothes. Chairman Einar Savolainen Grön thanked the outgo - styrkan med Östgötalogerna, var Sy Sune Börjesson greeted all participants, ing districts officials and the newly Lisbeths kommentar till den stora after which Viking Chief Morgan appointed District officials and other offi - uppslutningen. Tänk om alla logerna Andersson asked if there were any ene - cials including Chairman Sune Börjesson. kunde arbeta som östgötalogerna då mies in sight. Deputy Viking Chief Jan- GM Bill Lundquist thanked for a very nice skulle det inte bli några nedläggningar . Eric Berntsson reported that this was not district meeting. Logen Filbyters våravslutnig är något the case, and began the evening's festivi - More than 180 Vasa members had att minnas, var Ordf Maggie Ahlins- ties with a trumpet solo. Then it was time gathered for Saturday evening’s banquette Thulins kommentar när vi tog bilen och for the exciting moment when Viking on the 28th. Lars-Gunnar and Ulla svängde åter mot Norrköping. Chief Morgan Andersson would announce Börjesson greeted all welcome. We hon - Insänt av: Inge Hallberg the names of the nominated Vikings. The ored the King of Sweden by singing the Foto: Inge Hallberg Viking, woman or man, should have sig - “King Song” and continued by honoring nifically represented the Vasa Order of the United States President after which we America or Lodge Kongahälla #702. sang United States national anthem Honorary Vikings, need not be mem - Afterwards we ate a very tasty dinner. bers of the Vasa Order of America, but Speech was held by GM Bill Lundquist have benefited The Vasa of America or and DM Einar Savolainen Grön. Lodge Kongahälla #702. After our meal the Vasa Activity Club This year's Viking was appointed to the #10 Vasa Choir with musicians, led by current Lodge Kongahälla Chairman Sune Inger Uneback, performed a number of Börjesson who in addition has been the songs. Then it was time for coffee and Vice President and also has served as dance. Cultural leader. To Honorary Vikings was For the Vasa members who did not par - Samarbete i logerna. Här från v ses ordf. i appointed GM Br Bill Lundquist and ticipate in the District meeting an excur - Logen Bråviken Nr 751 Maggie Ahlin Thelin. VGM Br Tore Kellgren. All received a sion was arranged to Marstrand. A little Stig Carlsson Ordf i logen Nr 762 Vadstena. diploma and a Viking, carved in wood. Arne Samuelsson Ordf i Logen Filbyter Nr over 20 members traveled by car, where 714 samt Lisbeth H Qvarfordt, FDM . Following this ceremony, it was time they had a guided tour of Fort Carlsten and Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 21 Det blev låtar som man hört av Dean Guidad tur i Klosterkyrkan i Vadstena Logen Martin , Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves med och alla de fina utsmyckningarna som Knallen Nr 745 flera . Vad vi njöt och vad vi dansade! Vi finns där. Därefter intogs kaffe i bad honom direkt att komma tillbaka ett Pilgrims-Centrum. Ett femtiotal logesyskon hade samlats annat år. Tack till Br Sven-Olof som Vidare ut mot den s.k. “slätta” och via utanför Odd Fellow i det fina vårvädret. ordnat denna underhållning. Naddö, besöktes Sveriges äldsta Bussen , som först skulle köra oss till I pausen smakade kaffet extra gott, då Kyrkogård, där bl.a. nationalskalden Bredareds Bygdegård , avgick klockan 10. vi till detta fick en mycket god kaka , Verner von Heidenstams son Dag har sitt På Bygdegården möttes vi av en trevlig som en av systrarna bakat. Efter vilorum. Kyrkan som tillhör platsen heter guide som bjöd på kaffe med dopp och sedvanlig lottdragning blev det ytterligare Örberga Kyrka , näst äldst i Sverige, och visade oss en film om Uno Axelssons liv danser och sedan var det dags att bege sig som visade sig vara en ytterst originell och konstnärskap. Denne man hade i hemåt. kyrka. Lunch intogs på Stocklycke naturen funnit material till sitt Vi ses den 24 september! Vandrarhem på Omberg. konstnärskap. I trädens olika former och Insänt av: Inger Ericson Nästa stopp var det primära, besöket “missbildningar” hade han sett figurer Foto: Sven Olov Stigsson på Ellen Keys Strand alldeles intill som han skickligt skulpterat fram. Denna Vättern. Det var en arbetsam upplevelse konstskatt finns att beskåda i ett museum för de flesta att ta sig ner till stranden och i anslutning till Bygdegården. Museet är upp igen via långa trappor. Men det var väl värt ett besök. det värt, en mycket trevlig guidning bjöds Färden fortsatte genom fagra marker i vi på hemma hos Ellen Key. Min eloge vårens tid. Vi färdades genom Fristad och till systrarna Mary Dahlström och Ing- på den vackra vägen förbi Gingri till Britt Persson Cederin som med yttersta Rångedala kyrka och nådde så Ågårdens viljan tog sig ner och upp igen från de Säteri. Där välkomnades vi av familjen många branta trapporna. Väl uppe vid Wingborn till ett gästabud med helstekt bussen fanns en rastplats med utsikt över gris och läckra tillbehör. Eftermiddagen Hästholmen och Vättern, till tillbringades i vänners glada sällskap med eftermiddagskaffet som verkligen alla aktiviteter som poängjakt, musikaliska gjort sig förtjänta av. tävlingar och lotterier. En stor eloge till Kulturledarna Laila Kåsören Örjan Hill underhöll oss med Pettersson, Vadstena och Kristin Lundin i ett historiskt föredrag om människor som Filbyter samt till Pege Andersson levat och spelat roll i Ågårdens historia. Vadstena som höll ihop de olika besöken. Det var mycket intressant. Örjan Hill har En applåd kom från deltagarna i mångal kvaliteter . Bråviken, Vadstena och Filbyter. Hemfärden tillbaka till Borås företogs Östergötland består av många fler per buss i kvällningen med glada och Mel Rainbow som underhöll på vårt förra kulturupplevelser och vi ser fram emot nöjda logesyskon efter en innehållsrik möte. mera besök. dag . Fotnot: Besöket hos Ellen Keys Insänt av: Lilian Ewe Ericson , Strand gav mersmak. Läs boken Ett hem Logehistoriker Logen för själen, Skriven av Ingela Bendr. Drottning Omma är ett sagoväsen Bråviken Nr 751 kring Omberg. Läs på Goggels. Många loger anordnar, efter Insänt av: Inge och Lisbeth Hallberg Logen vårterminen slut, resor. Logen Bråviken #751 reste till avslutning på Mauritzbergs Klockan Nr 747 Slott, vilket kan läsas om i Bråvikens Vårens sista möte i Logen Klockan Nr hemsida. Logen Vadstena #762 och 747 var lördagen den 16 april. På Filbyter #714 anordnar flera resor på logemötet behandlades bl a motionerna. försommaren. Bl.a till Barakaryd i Kulturledaren läste en dikt. Småland och en resa till invandrarbygder Logehistorikern gav en återblick på mötet i Södra Östergötland med premiär på 1992, då det varit hattparad. musikalen Andrew Pettersson , en “äkta På grund av lågt deltagande i förra pionärshistoria” på Aggarps loge i årets Gökotta bestämdes att vi inte skulle Rydsnäs. Vidare så kommer Peter ha någon i år. Sedan var det dags för Casseldagarna i Kisa framöver. Ja, det efterkapitel. Lax med tillbehör smakade finns en hel del resor varje som ordnas Kultur och drivna reseledare vid Ellen Keys utmärkt denna vårkväll. av Östgötalogerna. Logerna Vadstena och Filbyter, Strands parkering med utsikt över Vättern och Jämt får man höra att sång och dans Hästholmen. Från V Laila Pettersson, Logen gör oss friska och glada. Glada är man Linköping och Logen Bråviken Norrköping gjorde en dagstur till Vadstena Kristina Linden, Logen Filbyter alltid på Klockans möten och säkert blev samt Per-Gunnar Andersson intendenten på vi åtminstone piggare, när sångaren från Vadstena och trakterna kring Omberg och Övralid, Logen Vadstena och samman - England, Mel Rainbow, började sjunga. Drottning Omma. Första stoppet var en hållande av hela denna resa.

Page 22 Vasa Star July-September 2011 YOUTH NEWS Bishop Hill, Vasa Youth Club A favorite project of the members of Bishop Hill’s Vasa daughter of Russ and Nan Swanson of Rio, Illinois, members of youth club is to tend the garden at the Vasa National Archives. Local Lodge #683. Be sure to stop and smell the flowers at the Pictured here is Pride of the Family member, Claire Mannon, Archives this summer! daughter of Kimberly Mannon of Geneseo, Illinois and grand - Submitted by: Patti Christianson, Bishop Hill Lodge #683

AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTOR Mike Pearson 7309 New Hampshire Pl • Hammond, IN 46323-2937 USA Phone: (219) 588-4752 E-mail: [email protected] The Vasa website at www.vasaorder.com contains a “materials button” which has the listing of audio visual materials available.

If you are unable to use the Vasa website, you can still ask that a listing be sent to you by mail.

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 23 Welcome To Our New Members

On behalf of the Grand Lodge and members of the Vasa Order of America, I am pleased to welcome you to membership in these local Vasa lodges. If you are new to the Vasa Order of America we bid you welcome. If you are transferring or are a dual member, your new lodge bids you welcome. We hope you will enjoy your membership and will participate in all of the activities planned for you. Art Bjorkner, Grand Lodge Membership Chairman 31 Vasa Drive, Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 USA

DL CONNECTICUT NO. 1 Samantha Kristine Cunningham Norden Lodge No. 233 Karl XII Lodge No. 103 Jim D. Losh Leonard A. Gottner Sivert R. Jacobson Kimberly Lynn Normann Leslie Mae Kelly Dalahäst Lodge No. 742 Esther M. Taylor DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2 Harvey Milton Evans Olympia Lodge No. 550 Nordic Lodge No. 611 Dorene Angela Berg Toriann Ellen Arvidson Lynette Lindelöf Pamela Anne Laino DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8 Philip E. Stutzman Vinland of Cape Cod Lodge No. 703 Kronan Lodge No. 179 Susan A. Stutzman Clara J. Buttrick Marcella Jane Carlson Jan Marie Voelker Joy A. Hamron DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST NO. 15 Birka Lodge No. 732 North Star Lodge No. 106 Karyn Lyn Ashness DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9 Siri Marie Eliason Ann Elizabeth DeLacey Nobel-Monitor No. 130 Ingemar Hulthage Sven Gunnar Hyberts Nancy R. Faymon Desert Viking Lodge No. 682 Marlys J. Mahajan Eric Larson Zalud Alex Danson Sharon DeLacey Mikutel Clark Allyn McCartney Lisa E. Winsor DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12 Valley Viking Lodge No. 701 Lindbergh Lodge No. 494 June Marie Evans DL RHODE ISLAND NO. 3 Lynne Bollen Svea Lodge No. 362 Viveca Eliscu DL ALBERTA NO. 18 Haley Marie Tavares Gunnar Galsgaard Nordstjarnan Lodge No. 575 Ronnie Haderle Chrystal Vinje Marney DL NEW YORK NO. 4 Kristina An na Kappel Thule Lodge No. 127 Ginny M. Nelson DL SÖDRA SVERIGE NO. 20 Gloria Anderson Linnea Lodge No. 504 Calmare Nyckel Lodge No. 628 Roy M. Holland Jan Ekner Barbro and Björn Hagström Newkirk L. Johnson Alexandra Loon Ronneby Lodge No. 630 Janet Miller Sierra Kronan Lodge No. 737 Åke Karlsson William R. Turner James Verne Netzel Ann-Charlotte Nilsson William B. Wittenbrook Melissa Sue Netzel Sandra Nilsson Blå Jungfrun Lodge No. 749 DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6 DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST NO. 13 Leif Axelsson Arlington Lodge No. 62 North Star Lodge No. 145 Maud Axelsson Karen H. Rossen Ebba Ostrom Jan G. Jonsson Linne Lodge No. 429 Lester Everett Ostrom Monika Jonsson Joyce Kellish Norrskenet Lodge No. 189 Martin Kellish Carl Ronald Lofgren DL ARIZONA NO. 21 Three Crowns Lodge No. 704 Alexa Louise Lowe Tucson Lodge No. 691 Cynthia Alison Baker-Scott Anthony Michael Lowe Kayleigh Clare Arendt Karin Lovisa Boitz Lori Vanderman Wilmot Andrew James Peele Douglas James Creelin Stephen Barwick Wilmot

Page 24 Vasa Star July-September 2011 CULTURE Humble Beginnings by Millie Ring I was born in “Scandinavia.” There are buckles. follies, and many of the big movie stars five countries that are part of We did not eat the way we do today. gave us their autograph at the stage door. Scandinavia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, There were no delis, or frozen foods. Our We saved our milk money, which was Finland, and Iceland. I was born in main diet consisted of oatmeal or a piece about 5 cents a day, so we could go to the Sweden. It is a cold country and has long of toast and squeezed orange juice for movies on Saturday afternoons. That was dark winters. The sun rarely shines by the breakfast. For lunch we had peanut butter the biggest thrill of our week. arctic circle where it is dark night and and jelly sandwiches and a bowl of I went to grade school for eight years day for about four months in the winter. homemade soup. For dinner we had meat and then had 4 years of high school. No In the summer it stays light so long that once or twice a week, some fish, many one could afford to send their kids to col - you have to have your shades pulled potatoes, rice dishes, fresh vegetables, lege. After finishing high school, most of down at night so that you can sleep. and hard breads. We did not eat many the boys my age were drafted into the I was almost five when my parents, salads. It was simple fare, but we grew up 2nd World War. They were only 18 or 19 Lilly and Ingemar, came to the United healthy and strong. years old and afraid. States to find a better life. The boat we We played simple games such as We walked to school both ways sum - came on was called the Gripsholm, and it cards, checkers, bunco, and dominoes. mer and winter, often through much took ten days to reach this wonderful There were no computer games, snow and below zero weather. Our lunch country called America. There were no Nintendo, or Game Boy. There was no time was one hour. We had no hot school planes in those days, but now it only software, and hardware was a place to lunches. Mom packed up our lunch in a takes 9 hours on a jet to span the ocean buy nails. The Internet was something brown paper bag, or sometimes we went from Sweden to the USA. like a hairnet. We had roller skates which home where she was always there to Neither my parents nor I could under - fit on our shoes. We needed a skate key greet us with hot chocolate made out of stand nor speak one word of English. I to tighten the clamps on our skates so dry cocoa and milk. There were no went to kindergarten, and the kids all they would stay on our feet. We jumped instant things in those days. Everything teased me because I could not understand rope, played Run Sheepy Run, Baby in we ate was made from scratch, even baby them. I soon learned to speak English the Hole, and other outside games. We food. Mom had to strain the food and without any special lessons. Then my had no TV, only a lowly radio. make it. We could not afford to go out to parents learned the English language As I got older and was in the sixth or restaurants. There were no McDonalds, from me. We were so very proud of our seventh grade, I got my first second hand Kentucky Fried Chicken, or Burger King, achievement and happy to be living in bike. What a thrill that was. Now the kids etc. this remarkable country called the USA. get their first car at 16. We went to a sec - We did not have any of the electrical We lived in a small four room apart - ond hand store and bought movie maga - appliances we have today. We had a ment. There was not a bit of grass or a zines for five cents each. We girls saved toaster that opened on both sides so two yard where I could play. There were only movie stars’ pictures in a big cardboard pieces of bread could be toasted at the cement sidewalks. My dad Ingemar box, and then traded these pictures with same time. We had to turn and watch the worked as a carpenter and made about our friends for each of our own favorite toast so it would not burn. We had no $15.00 a week with no vacations and no stars. My favorite was Loretta Young. automatic dishwashers, Mom was it. We sick pay or pensions. My mom Lilly was In those days, smoking was an expen - had a washing machine with a hand a housewife. sive habit that only some could afford at wringer, and no automatic dryers. There We were very poor. I only had one 29 cents a pack. We picked up silver were no microwaves, no toaster ovens, no pair of shoes, coat, hat, sweater, and wrappers from cigarette packages that showers, and silent movies only, no gloves. I also had one dress for Sunday had been discarded. We made silver balls talkies. School and two blouses and two skirts for out of the foil, sold it, and got about 5 We did a lot of walking in those days. school. There were no big decisions to be cents for a big ball. I think the streetcar cost 5 cents, and we made about what we were to wear for We went ice skating in the winter at could not afford the fare. There were no school. When it was winter and zero the park. Our biggest enjoyment was transfers, and there were two conductors weather, we wore rubber galoshes with going to Lake Michigan to swim and fish on each streetcar. When we got a hole in in the summertime. There was no Outer the sole of our shoes, we would put a Drive then. It was only sand and jagged piece of cardboard in so our feet would A Vasa-bridge to your rocks where we would dive and swim in not get wet. We only had black, brown, the very deep water. No swimming is or white shoes, not all these multi-col - Swedish ancestors! allowed there now, and all those huge ored ones that we have today. We also Looking for your relatives in Sweden? rocks have been leveled off and are now did not have all those fancy named sneak - I have helped many satisfied walkways. ers as we do today. We had gym shoes. Vasa-members finding their Swedish roots. When I was 11, the movies with a The girls wore green romper gym suits, Further info please e -mail: stage show, cost only 15 cents for kids [email protected] and 25 cents for adults. We saw the top Continued on page 26 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 25 Humble Beginnings to own about 20 percent of the compa - sales and had 600 employees on its pay - Continued from page 25 ny’s stock. roll. Opening of Small Shoe Store in 1901 In the early 1960s, the Nordstrom and wore gray tank suits for swimming. John W. Nordstrom, a 16-year-old brothers came to a crossroads of sorts. They looked awful. Swede, arrived in Minnesota in 1887 Spurred by their success, they were con - Christmas was a big event. Santa with $5 to his name and, after working vinced that their business could expand. always came in person with a small pack his way across the United States, settled The brothers were unsure whether they on his back on Christmas Eve. We were briefly in Seattle. In 1897 he headed should simply expand their shoe business so excited. We each got two or three pre - north to Alaska in search of gold. He to the East and South or branch out into sents. I got a petticoat, woolen stockings, found it. In 1899, $13,000 richer, other areas of retailing. The brothers and maybe one toy which was either a Nordstrom moved back to Seattle, where chose to diversify, and purchased Best ball, jump rope, jacks, or a game like he opened a shoe store with Carl Wallin, Apparel, a Seattle-based women’s cloth - Checkers or Parcheesi. We each had a a shoemaker he had met in Alaska. On its ing store, in 1963. With the addition of Christmas stocking that was not hung by first day of business in 1901, Wallin & apparel outlets, the company expanded the fireplace, because we did not have Nordstrom sold $12.50 in shoes. rapidly. In 1965 the Nordstroms opened a one. In our stocking we found raisins, Business quickly picked up. By 1905 new Best Apparel store adjacent to a some penny candy, and an orange or an annual sales increased to $80,000. The Nordstrom shoe store in suburban Seattle. apple. business continued to grow, and in 1923 In 1966 the company acquired a Portland On Christmas Eve, we had Swedish the partners opened a second store in retail fashion outlet, Nicholas Ungar, and Smorgasbord, which consisted of Seattle. By 1928, however, 57-year-old merged it with the Nordstrom shoe store köttbullar (meatballs), “Dopp i Gryta” John Nordstrom had decided to retire in Portland, which was renamed (dipping in the drippings), “skinka” from the shoe business, and passed on his Nordstrom Best. (ham), “ost” (cheese), limpa bread, and, share to his sons Everett and Elmer. Carl In the late 1960s, the modern of course, “glögg,” a spiced wine. We Wallin retired the following year and Nordstrom department store began to had real candles on our tree. The likewise sold his share to the next genera - take shape. Between 1965 and 1968, the Christmas tree cost $1.00. We used tion of Nordstroms. In 1930 the shoe company opened five stores that com - strung cranberries on a chain and popcorn stores were renamed Nordstrom’s. In bined apparel and shoes. In 1967, when balls to trim it. We also used multi-col - 1933 John Nordstrom’s youngest son, annual sales had reached $40 million, the ored paper chains, paper baskets, and lit - Lloyd, joined the partnership. chain’s name was changed to Nordstrom tle Swedish flags as decorations. It was a The business that John Nordstrom left Best. The firm diversified further in these marvelous feast and celebration with our was substantially larger than the one he years, as Nordstrom Best began to sell many loved ones. started back in 1901. It was up to the next men’s and children’s clothing as well. These are only a few of my wonderful generation of Nordstroms, however, to Third Generation Took Control in memories of growing up in the beautiful build on their father’s success. In 1929 1970 country called America. the Nordstrom brothers doubled the size In 1968 Everett Nordstrom turned 65, Millie Ring is a member of Kronan of their downtown Seattle store. In 1930, and he and his two brothers decided to despite the onset of the Great Depression, turn over the reins of the company to the the two stores made $250,000 in sales. next generation of Nordstroms. Five Nordstroms The shoe stores survived the Depression, men—Everett’s son Bruce, Elmer’s sons Company History but faced another severe threat during James and John, Lloyd’s son-in-law John Nordstrom, Inc. was started in 1901 as World War II, when leather rationing A. McMillan, and family friend Robert E. a single shoe store in Seattle, prohibited U.S. consumers from buying Bender—took control of the company. Washington, that was opened by two more than three pairs of shoes per year. In August 1971 the company went Swedish immigrants. From those origins, The Nordstrom brothers had to search public, offering Nordstrom Best stock on the family-run enterprise expanded into a nationwide for supplies of shoes. the over-the-counter market. Family 180-outlet, 27-state chain, which tallied Expansion and Diversification in the members retained a majority of the stock, $6.49 billion in sales in 2003. In addition 1950s and 1960s however. In 1971 Nordstrom earned $3.5 to more than 90 flagship Nordstrom In the postwar decades, the Nordstrom million on sales of $80 million. In 1973, department stores, the company also brothers built the company into the when sales first topped $100 million, the operates about 50 Nordstrom Rack outlet largest independent shoe chain in the company changed its name to Nordstrom, stores in the United States and around 35 United States. In 1950 the Nordstroms Inc. That same year saw the opening of fashionable boutiques, most of which are opened two new shoe stores: one in the first Nordstrom Rack, an outlet store located in Europe. Catalog and Internet Portland, Oregon, and one in a Seattle used to move old inventories at discount sales are generated through the suburb—the latter located at Northgate prices. It was located in the basement of Nordstrom Direct unit. Carefully super - Mall, the nation’s first shopping mall. the downtown Seattle store. vised expansion, tight family manage - Nine years later, Nordstrom remodeled The firm continued to grow steadily ment, wide selection, and attentive cus - its Seattle flagship store, and stocked it throughout the 1970s by opening new tomer service have long been the hall - with 100,000 pairs of shoes—the biggest stores, increasing volume in existing marks of Seattle-based Nordstrom, one of inventory in the country. By 1961 stores, and diversifying. In 1974 annual the largest independent fashion specialty Nordstrom operated eight shoe stores and sales hit $130 million. The following retailers in the United States. Members of 13 leased shoe departments in year, Nordstrom bought three stores in the founding Nordstrom family continue Washington, Oregon, and California. Alaska. In 1976 the firm launched a new That year, the firm grossed $12 million in Continued on page 27 Page 26 Vasa Star July-September 2011 Nordstroms juni utgåvan av Vasa Star (sid.6). Karlstad or Växjö. This year’s appointee, Continued from page 26 Av tradition är Årets Svensk- Kerstin Lane from Chicago, was awarded Amerikan inbjuden till Minnesotadagen, in Karlstad and Filipstad at The John division, Place Two, which featured, in som vanligtvis firas i Växjö men som Ericsson Day celebration on July 30. The smaller stores, a selected offering of detta år arrangerades i närliggande Ljuder Swedish American Center is in charge of men’s and women’s apparel and shoes. den 14 augusti. Vilhelm Moberg valde the arrangements, but it also counts as a By 1977 Nordstrom operated 24 stores, Ljuder som utgångsort för emigranterna i meeting with the local Vasa lodges (LL which generated sales of $246 million. sina romaner om utvandringen. Karlstad #632). In 1978 Nordstrom expanded into the Minnesotadagen anordnas vanligen av Kerstin Lane is probably best known southern California market, opening an Svenska Emigrantinstitutet och dess vän - to most of our members, as the creator of outlet in Orange County. That year, the förening, men i år var Ljuders hembygds - the fabulous Swedish-American Museum firm reaped $13.5 million in earnings on förening också ansvarig. Den lokala in Chicago with its very popular interac - nearly $300 million in sales. Buoyed by Vasalogen (LL Carl von Linné Nr 678) tive children’s’ department. During the the success, Nordstrom’s executives brukar också bidra. För ytterligare infor - first half of this year she was also the charted an aggressive expansion program, mation om svensk-amerikanska arrange - Honorary Consul General of Sweden for and began to open bigger stores in mang (Barkeryd, Önnestad m.fl.) se Illinois (since 2003). She is currently the California. Their late 1970s confidence föregående utgåva av Vasa Star (sid.29). president of the Chicago Cultural presaged a decade of phenomenal, but Inom DL 19, som tillägg till John Alliance that she organized in 2007. Read controlled, growth. Ericsson-dagen, finns för övrigt två andra more about Kerstin Lane in the April- Submitted by: Linda Lunstrum Kosvic, arrangemang: Korpagillet i Uddevalla June issue of Vasa Star (p. 6). Desert Viking Lodge #682 (LL Uddevalla Nr 638) den 13 augusti By tradition The Swedish American of Source: och Atlantlogen i Göteborg (LL Göteborg The Year is invited to The Minnesota http://www.fundinguniverse.com/compa - Nr 452 den 10 september. Day that usually takes place in Växjo, but ny-histories/Nordstrom-Inc-Company- Det finns uppenbara och goda skäl att this year it was arranged in the neighbor - History.html besöka några av dessa högtidligheter för ing village Ljuder on August 14. Vilhelm att träffa gamla vänner och för att knyta Moberg chose Ljuder as the starting point Sommar-rapport nya kontakter. Detta är ett sätt att vidga for the emigrants in his emigrant novels. horisonten genom bibehållandet och The Minnesota Day is run by The från Sverige förstärkandet av banden mellan Sverige, Emigrant Institute of Växjö and its sup - USA och Kanada. porting body (Society of Friends), but Under sommaren är aktiviteten som För att till slut se litet längre in i this year a local society in Ljuder was lägst i Vasalogerna, medan firanden av framtiden, d.v.s till 2012, kommer det att also responsible. The Vasa lodge of Sverige-Amerika-dagar är som livligast, arrangeras ännu en Swedish Bridge Växjö (LL Carl von Linné #678) con - några av dem stödda av vissa Vasaloger. Conference i Karlstad 12-15 september tributed too. For more Swedish-American Mycket uppmärksamhet ägnas varje år 2012. Den första ägde rum i Karlstad festivities in southern Sweden (Barkeryd, till firandet av Årets Svensk-Amerikan 2006 och blev en stor framgång med delt - Önnestad and others), see the previous (ÅSA), som sedan 1960 utses av de två agande av många organisationer från issue of Vasa Star (p.29). distriktslogerna (DL 19 och DL 20). båda sidor av Atlanten. Vi hoppas att den Within DL 19 as an addition to the Huvudarrangemanget inklusive utde - kommande blir något liknande och mer John Ericsson Day, there were two other landet av medalj och diplom, har under information kommer att lämnas efter - festivals: Korpagillet (The Festival of the årens lopp flyttat mellan olika städer hand. Raven) in Uddevalla (LL Uddevalla #638) inklusive Stockholm och Göteborg, men Insänt av: Stig Salgeback, Karlstad, on August 13 and The Atlantic Lodge (LL under åtminstone de senaste 10 åren, har SLKL, Sverige Goteborg #452) on September 10. det ägt rum vartannat år i Karlstad eller E-post: [email protected] There are clearly good reasons to Växjö. I år delades insignierna ut till attend some of these festivals in order to Kerstin Lane från Chicago, i Karlstad och Summer report meet old friends and make new acquain - Filipstad i samband med J ohn Ericsson- tances. It is a way to broaden the horizon dagen den 30 juli. Sverige Amerika from Sweden During the summer, the activities are and maintaining and strengthening the Centret är huvudarrangör, men dagen ties between Sweden and USA/Canada. räknas också som ett Vasamöte för few within most of the Vasa lodges while Swedish-American festivals are most Looking forward further into the lokallogen (LL Karlstad Nr 632). future, i.e. into 2012, there will be anoth - Kerstin Lane är troligen mest känd för active during this time; some of them are supported by certain Vasa lodges. er Swedish Bridge Conference arranged våra medlemmar som skaparen av det in Karlstad September 12 - 15, 2012. The fantastiska Svensk-Amerikanska Muséet i A lot of attention is devoted each year to the celebration of The Swedish first took place in Karlstad in 2006 and Chicago med dess mycket populära inter - was a great success with participation of aktiva barnavdelning. Fram till American of the Year (Åsa), that has since1960 been appointed by the two dis - many organizations from both sides of halvårsskiftet i år var hon också Honorär the Atlantic. We hope the upcoming Generalkonsul för Sverige i staten trict lodges (DL 19 and DL 20). The cen - tral arrangement including the awarding event will be something similar and more Illinois (sedan 2003). information will be given as time goes Hon är fortfarande i full verksamhet of the medal and diplomas has during the years' moved between different cities by. som ordförande för den Nya Submitted by: Stig S. Salgeback, Kulturalliansen i Chicago (Chicago including Stockholm and Gothenburg, but during the past 10 years, it has regu - Karlstad, GLCD, Sweden Cultural Alliance), som hon organiserade E-mail: [email protected] 2007. Läs mer om Kerstin Lane i april- larly taken place every other year in Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 27 Book Review and New Books Publish America Presents Write Soon. Love, Fran by L.E. Starks

Frederick, MD May 24 , 2011 — PublishAmerica is proud to present Write Soon. Love, Fran: Letters Home from a Korean War WAC by L.E. Starks of West Haven, Connecticut.

The Army career of Corporal Frances Visit us online at http://www.face - Contact: Shawn Street – Public Relations M. Bushey, now retired, began on April book.com/publishamerica.publisher and [email protected] 28, 1949 and lasted until she was honor - www.publishamerica.com. www.publishamerica.com ably discharged on September 7, 1951. Submitted by: Lisa Erickson, I am a This book is based on the letters written PDM from CT District No. 1 by Corporal Bushey, now known as Mrs. Frances M. Wissner, to her mother throughout her military career as well as her personal remembrances of the events. Mrs. Wissner is the author’s mother-in- law and the actual writer of these letters, HAPPENINGS which have been edited for clarity and brevity. The personal experiences of this Korean War WAC are shared with you, the reader, and include her opinions and Midsummer Queen at Bishop Hill thoughts on her relationships, friendships and her work as a cook in the Army. The Lisa Wendel, 18 of Bishop Hill reader will be privy to all the intimate was crowned this years’ details of daily life as recounted by a Midsummer Queen at Bishop woman in the Women’s Army Corps who Hill’s Midsummer event. Despite started her army career as a Private and rain off and on during the day ended it as a Corporal. the event, especially the maypole The author, L.E. Starks and Frances portion, was well attended with a M. Wissner, f/k/a Corporal Frances M. large procession. Lisa will be Bushey, have known each other since attending Bowling Green State 1990 when the author started dating and University in Bowling Green, eventually married Mrs. Wissner’s son, Ohio on a ROTC scholarship David Starks. In 2009, Mrs. Wissner where she will be studying showed the author the letters that her Broadcast Journalism. mother had saved from when she was in Submitted by: Mike Wendell the army and suggested that a book could be written. “It has been an extreme pleasure to work with this talented and dedicated author,” said PublishAmerica Public Relations Director Shawn Street. “For ordering information, please visit www.publishamerica.com .” This book is also available on www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com . PublishAmerica is the home of 5 0,000 talented authors. PublishAmerica is a tra - ditional publishing company whose pri - mary goal is to encourage and promote the works of new, previously undiscov - ered writers. Like more mainstream pub - lishers, PublishAmerica pays its authors advances and royalties and makes its books available through all bookstores. PublishAmerica offers a distinctly per - sonal, supportive alternative to vanity presses and less accessible publishers. Follow us on Twitter at @PubAmericaNews! Page 28 Vasa Star July-September 2011 se en fin samling bestående av diverse Have you hit a brick Korpagillet föremål från Vasa Orden i dess Torsten Torstensson, Ordförande i begynnelse samt en stor samling föremål wall in your Swedish Logen Uddevalla Nr 638, kontaktade mig från Svenska Amerika Linien bl a research or don’t i början av januari och berättade att varje deltagarlistor där Raoul Wallenberg kan know where to begin? år har logen något som kallas Korpagillet nämnas som en av passagerarna. Torsten då man utser Årets Hederskorp och att har en stor utställning om Svenska A group of Swedish genealogists, han skulle vilja föreslå mig som Amerika Linien på Sverige Amerika SwedGenTour 2011, will be touring the Hederskorp för det arbete jag gör med Centret i Karlstad. Detta stora intresse United States this September to teach and The Vasa Star. Han frågade vidare om började med att hans farfar reste med assist Swedish-Americans in how to find jag hade intresse samt möjlighet att densamma. Ja, Torsten och hans fru their roots and how to do Swedish medverka i detta evenamang . För att vara Monica har ett smärre museum i sitt hem! research. riktigt ärlig visste jag nog egentligen inte Torsten har många “järn i elden.” På DL Norra Sverige #19 has two sisters’ vad det hela handlade om, men jag sin gård, där han också växte upp föder participants in the group. Charlotte förstod att det här var något speciellt. Jag han upp Highland Cattle, fantastiskt fina Börjesson is the cultural leader in the lodge tackade ja, eftersom jag visste att vi djur. Göteborg #452 and Anneli Andersson is a skulle befinna oss Sverige under firandet. Jag bifogar en länk nedan från board member in the lodge Mellerud # 644. Det verkade så långt borta i framtiden utställningen i Karlstad: Anna-Lena Hultman , Gunilla Didriksson , då, och nu är det hela över. Jag hade http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.asp Birgitta Eriksson and Bengt-Olof Käck is försökt luska ut litet från tidigare x?programid=93&artikel=3763772 also participants in the group from Sweden Hederskorpar vad det var man skulle this year. Kathy Mead, Chicago IL, will “utsättas” för. Ju närmare datumet kom, Insänt av: Marie Carlson, Editor, join the group as well. desto mer nervös började jag bli inför The Vasa Star SwedGenTour 2011 has been success - kommande “eldprov.” Tidigare ful in helping many individuals in our pre - Hederskorpar, nämde att “..... de hade ju vious tours to United States. We get them liksom överlevt. ” Ja, ja det gjorde även started with their research as well as jag! Torsten, läste sedan “det hela var breaking down many brick walls. We do över, ” litet om varför jag blivit utsedd hope that our brothers and sisters in the till Årets Hederskorp och jag känner mig lodges will join our lecture and workshops mycket hedrad och stolt över along the tour. This year SwedGenTour utmärkelsen. Jag tilldelades ett fint 2011 will make the following stops: diplom samt en snidad korp i trä som Chicago (IL) Saturday, September 10, minne av detta evenemang. En mycket the Swedish American Museum fin kväll men många fina människor som Rock Island (IL) Sunday, September jag aldrig kommer att glömma! Ett varmt 11, the Swenson Center, Augustana tack till Er alla! College Andra personer som tidigare fått Denver/Aurora (CO) Saturday denna utmärkelse är t ex Arnold och Aina September 17, the Community College of Barton, Anne-Charlotte Harvey, Erik Aurora Gustavson och Elise Peters. Salt Lake City (UT) Tuesday, Jag vill nämna litet om några av Torsten Torstensson framför en av sina September 20, the Family History Library Torstens intressen. Jag hade förmånen att samlingar. Salt Lake City (UT) Wednesday September 21, the Family History Library We will lead a Swedish genealogy research day who will include presenta - tions and demonstrations on how to use the various resources for Swedish genealogical and historical research. There will be presentations of Swedish genealog - ical online resources, Swedish genealogi - cal CDs and Swedish emigration. There will also be a preregistration for those who want to have individual research help. More information about the workshops, the lectures and preregistration is available at the website for SwedGenTour 2011 , www.lilleskogen.se Anneli, Anna Lena, Gunilla and Charlotte will be visiting the Vasa National Archive in Bishop Hill before the tour starts in Chicago . Detta är ett logemärke som bars förr under logenmöten och vänder man på det så fyller de Submitted by: Charlotte Börjesson , ytterligare en fuktion. CL , Lodge Göteborg #452

Vasa Star July-September 2011 Page 29 TIDBITS Ännu inget undantag Sverige. Den 19 juni 2010 vigdes hon inte förväntas några större förändringar i och Daniel Westling i Stockholm. kronprinsessparets program. Kron - för surströmmingen Ett par minuter innan klockan 15 prinsessparets vänner är över lyckliga onsdagen den 17 augusti kunde över beskedet. Fram till årsskiftet får surströmming Expressen.se få bekräftat av hovet att och annan fet fisk med höga dioxinhalter kronprinsessan Victoria väntar barn. Crown Princess säljas i Sverige. Sedan upphör Sveriges Födelsen är beräknad att ske i mars nästa tillfälliga undantag från EU-reglerna. år.“Den blivande modern mår bra,” Victoria is Pregnant! Dock bestämde sig regeringen redan i meddelar hovet. Under onsdagen var A few minutes before 15.00 on början av året att söka ett permanent kronprinsessan närvarande vid utdelning Wednesday, Expressen.se, received con - undantag för fångst och försäljning i av priset “Årets svensk i världen” i firmation that the Swedish Crown Sverige av dioxinrik Östersjöfisk. Stockholm. Hon avslöjade då ingenting Princess Victoria is expecting a child. Bedömningen både inom om det kommande beskedet. I fladdrande The Swedish Royal Court also released a regeringskansliet och bland svenskarna i kläder gick hon in till Grand Hôtel i press statement, saying that a child is EU är att både Europaparlament och min - Stockholm där prisutdelningen ågde rum. expected to be born in March 2012. isterråd kommer att ge sina godkännan - Ingen anade då att hon bar på Sveriges Source: Expressen On-line den under hösten. nästa tronarvinge. Hovet skriver att det Regeringen gav Fiskeriverket i Göteborg och Livsmedelsverket i Uppsala i uppdrag att utreda kon - sekvenserna att ett fortsatt fiske av fettri - On books ka fiskar som strömming och sill. Fiskeriverket upphörde 30 juni och Did you know …… dess verksamhet fördelades till Havs- och ….that the world’s fastest selling novel is Harry Potter and the Deathly vattenmyndigheten, Jordbruksverket och Hollows. During the first 24 hours 8.3 million books were sold. Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet. Livsmedelsverket konstaterade i ett 33 miljon books yttrande 8 april att en svensk dispens för …..that the largest library in the world is said to be the United States dioxinfisk kräver mycket information till Library of Congress in Washington DC. The library has 13 floors and it con - svenskarna. tains among other items, 33 million books and 63 million manuscripts. Verket råder kvinnor i barnafödande ålder, och barn, från att äta dioxinfisk högst två eller tre gånger per år. För övriga är rekommendationen att Visste du….. inte äta surströmming och annan fet fisk ….. att världens snabbast säljande roman är Harry Potter och dödsrelikerna. oftare än en gång per vecka. Under de första 24 timmarna såldes den i 8,3 miljoner exemplar. Source: Östersunds Posten Submitted by: Marie Carlson 33 miljoner böcker .....att världens största bibliotek sägs vara United States Library of Congress Litet roligt! i Washington DC. Biblioteket är 13 våningar högt och det rymmer bland mycket annat 33 miljoner böcker och 63 miljoner manuscript. Jag älskar dig Sweden! lite roliga... On people http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep3JU Did you know…… x8N7E0 .... Kris Kristofferssons , singer, composer, actor and political activist Kristoffer “Kris” Kristofferson, was related to poet Dan Andersson, and is Kronprinsessan gravid! the ninth generation of the family from Nås in Dalarna to have the same first and family name. Kronprinsessan Victoria är gravid och väntas föda i mars 2012, informerar Visste du….. hovet. .... Kris Kristofferssons , sångaren, kompositören, skådespelaren och den Det gemensamma för hovet och kungafamiljen är att alla gläds åt politiska aktivisten Kristoffer ”Kris” Kristofferson, var släkt till poeten Dan beskedet, säger Bertil Ternert, Andersson, och är den nionde i generationen i familjen från Nås i Dalarna informationsansvarig för hovet. som har samma för- och efternamn. Den 14 juli 1977 föddes Victoria A note of Remembrence Ingrid Alice Désirée, som prinsessa i

Page 30 South Dakota, where she graduated from Watertown High WISCONSIN School as a National Honor Student in 1933. She worked for the ROY KENNETH JERNBERG passed away on March 10, WPA in Nebraska during WWII, where she met her first hus - 2011, in Phoenix, AZ, after a short illness. Roy was born in band. After the war, they moved to Bakersfield, where she Chicago on April 22, 1928, to Hugo and Emma (need Lindahl) In Memoriam worked for the Kern County Chamber of Commerce, Hornkohl Jernberg. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Roy gradu - Till minne av hädangångna Laboratories, and Wheatley and Co. She ended her ated from Carthage College in 1952 where he met and married accounting/bookkeeping career working for Warren Rooney, his college sweetheart, Marlene Wendell. He is survived by his ordenssyskon genom vilkas CPA, retiring in 2006 at the age of 91. Always proud of her wife of 58 years, Marlene, 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 1 broth - Scandinavian heritage, Pearl was an active member of the local er, niece and nephew. bortgång syskonkretsen gjort chapter of Valley Vikings Lodge #701 for over 30 years, and a en kännbar förlust faithful member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church for the last 60 CANADA years. She volunteered her accounting skills to these groups and MARGARET YVONNE LUNDGREN (nee Eliasson) passed In memory of our departed to senior programs, such as the Cambridge Hills Rest Home, away in Edmonton, AB, on February 24, 2011, at the age of 96. where she offered encouragement to many much younger than Margaret was born on October 27, 1914, in Meeting Creek, members who will be herself. Independent and self-sufficient until age 94, Pearl lived Alberta, Canada, to the parents of Karl (Charlie) and Gerda alone much of her life, even during marriage. Balancing a mod - (Svenson) Melin. She had 2 sisters, Sylvia Elvira who passed sorely missed est, faith-based lifestyle with her indelible love for fashion, away in infancy before Margaret was born, and younger sister, food, flowers, a good party, and a Sunday drive in her Stella. Margaret was 4 when she returned to Sweden where she Oldsmobile, Pearl lived with purpose and on her own terms, lived with her grandparents until her return to Meeting Creek in putting family and faith in the foreground. Her warm grandma 1925 where she lived with a number of families. At the age of ARIZONA hands reached all across Kern County, offering kindness and 14 she moved to Edmonton to support herself. She worked for DOUGLAS W. MORTENSEN passed away on April 2, 2011, tolerance to whomever she met, reminding us that, even in loss, various families doing housekeeping duties which had to be in Arizona. He was a member of Solstad Lodge #709. Douglas “all things happen for a reason.” done just so. They were very particular. One task was ironing was born in Hartford, CT, on January 11, 1940, and moved at a the newspaper before her employers read it to prevent the ink young age to California. He moved to Arizona in 2005. He is CONNECTICUT from rubbing off on their hands or clothes. Her salary was less survived by his wife, Solveig, and 1 son, daughter-in-law, and 2 ELSA MARIA CHRISTINA CARLSON (JOHANSSON), than $10 a month. She married Mons Eliasson, a railroader, grandchildren. Rhode Island’s third oldest resident, passed away peacefully at when she was 19. They had 2 sons, Leonard and Glen. Margaret Roberts Health Center in North Kingstown on May 31, 2011. joined the Vasa Order of America in Meeting Creek on May 1, DAGMAR WOINSKI passed away on January 22, 2011, at the She was born on August 17, 1903, to Algott and Emma 1931, transferring her membership to Skandia Lodge #549 in age of 93 in Sun City, AZ. Dagmar was an active member of the Johansson at Elmhestra, since the early 18th century, the family Alberta, in 1944. Her heritage was very important to her and she Vasa Order from 1960, including District Master 1970-1971 for farm in Dalstorp, Sweden. She was one of 10 children and the shared her knowledge and musical ability teaching Swedish California’s Golden Gate District. Dagmar was born in Julita, oldest of the 5 daughters. She is survived by sisters, Ingrid songs and folk dancing to children and adults. She held variosu Södermanland, Sweden, and moved to the United States in Garnolf and Gunborg Claesson fo Dalstorp. Elsa married her positions in Skandia Lodge #549 and was the first lady chair - 1959. After a short time in Wisconsin, the family moved to San first husband, Gustaf Carlson, when she was 18. The had 2 sons man of Skandia. She went on to the District Lodge #18 where Carlos, CA. Both Dagmar and her husband Peter joined Linné before Gus died of polio in 1928. In May, 1932, she married she was elected to the executive board as vice secretary in 1951. Lodge in San Mateo in 1960 where Dagmar was Chairman. Conrad E. Carlson, a widower and had 2 more sons. They were She served on the executive board for 10 years and in 1961 she Dagmar was elected District Master 1970-71 for the Golden married for 55 years. The family lived in West Hartford and was elected District Master, the first lady to head the Alberta Gate District and held several other posts within the district. She enjoyed summers at their cottage on Coventry Lake. Elsa was District Lodge #18. She was DM for 4 years, was a Grand greatly enoyed her active time in the Vasa Order. Dagmar and active at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hartford, CT, and was a Lodge Delegate and she was appointed to the position of Grand Peter moved to Seattle in 1984 after Peter’s retirement. In member of the first lodge (Norden #1) of the Vasa Order of Lodge Children’s Club Supervisor. Margaret, as DM of District Seattle, they joined Klippan Lodge. After Peter’s death in 2002, America for over 80 years, making her the oldest and longest #18, along with the District Masters from Districts 12, 13, and Dagmar and her son Magnus Eriksson moved to Sun City, AZ, serving member in the Order. Elsa was well known for her 15, were involved in the early stages of planning the 1964 in 2003. During Dagmar’s time in Sweden, she worked as a devotion to her family and for her keen ability at playing bridge. Western Vasa Youth Tour to Sweden. About 60 children partic - waitress in several restaurants, most notably Grand Hotel in She played every week until after she turned 105. Her other ipated in this memorable trip.In 1965 she was presented with a Stockholm. Later she joined Ericsson where she worked until great talent lay in the kitchen where she turned out countless Jewel from the Swedish District Lodges #19 and #20 recogniz - she moved to the United States. In death, she returned to her smorgasbords and pastries for family and friends. Everyone was ing her work with the Vasa Children’s Clubs. She organzed homeland and is resting at Uppenbarelsekyrkan in Hägersten, welcome in her home, and no one ever went away hungry. She Skandia’s first Drill Team and first Initiation Team. Margaret outside of Stockholm. Magnus continues to live in Sun City. is survived by her 4 sons, Arnold E. of Charlton, MA; Russell L. and her husband Mons were founding directors of the Dagmar is also survived by her daughters, Maria Woinski and his wife Rebecca of North Palm Beach, FL; Paul C. and his Scandinavian Cenre Co-operative Association, holding the posi - Nyström and Viveka Eriksson Macklin, who are both living in wife Patricia, and Gordon W. and his wife Carol, all of North tions of secretary and treasurer, respectively. Positions they held Sweden, in addition to grandchildren Katarina Elisabeth Kingstown. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 11 great- unti Mons retired in 1968, when they moved to Vernon, B.C. Eriksson in Toronto, Canada, and Jenny Heléne Nyström in grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson. Mons drowned in the Shuswap River in September 1968 and a Tyresö, Sweden. year later Margaret moved back to Edmonton. Margaret married OHIO Bert Lundgren from Pemberton, B.C. on February 4, 1972. CALIFORNIA JUDGE NILS JOHNSON SR. passed away on May 1, 2011, Shortly after their marriage they moved to White Rock, B.C., HELEN FORSTY (nee LINGREN) passed away on March at the age of 89. He was born on January 30, 1922, in where they were active in Nornan Lodge #413. They enjoyed 30, 2011, in Fair Oaks, CA. She was born in North Dakota on Youngstown, OH, and was initiated in Harmony Lodge #465 on music, dancing and traveling, camping throughout B.C. and September 20, 2012, but grew up on the family farm in Hood December 19, 1964. He is survived by his wife Janet whom he Alberta. They spent many evenings with Margaret playign the River, OR. She was a 50-year member of the Vasa Order of married in 1947, 1 daughter, Dr. Becky Heikkinen and 4 sons, paino and singing, and Bert playing the accordion. And there America, and a member of Sierra Kronan Lodge #737 for many Bruce, Nils, Eric and Scott. Nils is also survived by 11 grand - was always time for a game or two of Crib. Margaret loved to years. She served as an interpreter for the Finnish team at the children and 3 great-grandchildren. He served as Judge of the entertain and was a fabulous cook. Her pastries were second to 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, CA. Helen was pre - 7th District Court of Appeals from 1964 to 1972. none. To have thirty or more over for a meal was not unheard of ceded in death by her husband, Richard, of 62 years and son and when they sat down to eat the food was hot. Margaret was a James. Helen loved music, gardening and reading. TEXAS wonderful, brilliant, talented and self-taught lady whose hands LLOYD R. LOVEN passed away on February 18, 2011, at the were never idle. Margaret was a compassionate and caring indi - GUSTAV HELGE DAVID FRANZEN passed away on April age of 93 after a heart attach. He was born in Decorah, IA, on vidual. Her caring for the less fortunate was demonstrated in 13, 2011. He was born on February 19, 1921. Gus was born in July 7, 1918. Lloyd was married to Susie Louise Price Loven many ways: 1) her support of the E4C, the Edmonton City Jonkoping, Sweden, and raised in Lynn, MA. A long-time resi - for 53 years. Susie preceded him in death. Many nieces, Church Corporation. Margaret, along with Pastor Lindquist and dent of the Conejo Valley, Gus was co-founder and Vice nephews, cousins and loyal friends survive Lloyd. Lloyd was a other members of Augustana Lutheran Church, were instrumen - President of Semtech Corporation prior to his retirement. A member of the Carl Gustav XVI Lodge for 35 years and was a tal in the formation of the E4C. Some of the E4C projects are: proud veteran of the U.S. Naval forces, Gus was a member of life member. He also helped build the Ormen Lange II, a long - Kids in the Hall, School Lunch Program, and WEAC to name a the World War II Pacific fleet, serving in 21 major battles. Gus ship and manned it in numerous parades all over Texas. few. 2) Since she had breast cance in 2001 she logged in 1,500 served his country again in the Korean conflict. Gus is survived hours of volunteer time for the Cross Cancer Institute. Margaret by his wife, Lisa Franzen and family. He was a 26-year member WASHINGTON participated in many hobbies and activities, social dancing, curl - of Oak Leaf Lodge #685, Lisa is also a member of Oak Leaf ROSE MARY ERICKSON passed away on May 1, 2011, at ing, bowling, knitting, crocheting, copper tooling, square danc - Lodge. Gus will be missed by all his family and friends. the age of 104. She was born on September 8, 1906, on a farm ing, round dancing, and always enjoyed playing a game of in Nebraska. She married Gilmore Erickson in 1929 and was cards. She was predeceased by her husbands Mons N. Eliasson ALYCE LINDSTROM passed away on April 19, 2011, in widowed in 1953. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and and Bertil Lundgren, 2 sisters, her son Leonard A. Eliasson, Santa Rosa, CA, just 15 days after observing her 100th birthday. nephews. daughter-in-law Matt Eliasson and step-son, Tom Lewis. She was born in Oakland, CA, on April 14, 1911. Alyce was Margaret is survived by son Glen and Audrey Eliasson, step- predeceased by husband Donald Lindstrom in 1993 and is sur - NORMA PERKINS passed away on May 24, 2011. Norma daughter Alma Lewis, 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchil - vived by son Donald Tarpley, 1 sister and 3 brothers. Alyce was born on March 14, 1925, to Swedish immigrants. She was dren. (and Don) were initiated into Linnea Lodge #504 in 1978 and proud of her Swedish ancestry. Norma married Allen Perkins in was a Honorary Member. She will be fondly remembered by 1953 and in 1961 they moved to Anacortes. She is survived by all. her daughter Suzanne, son Lonnie, stepson Dennis, daughter-in- law Pam and others. She was a 50-year member of Vasa. MEMORIAL NOTICES PEARL MAE EVANGELINE WINJUM CARTER MYERS . Born May 31, 1915, in Hayti, South Dakota. Died RUBY A. SUNDBERG passed away peacefully at home on should be mailed with check or money Friday, April 22, 2011, at the age of 95. Pearl was first married May 11, 2011. She was born on May 20, 1913, in St. Paul, MN. order to: Joan Graham, 5838 San Jose to George Glennwood Carter in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1939, Ruby is survived by niece Susan Holms, nephew Roger with two children from this union: James Randall Carter of Krogstad and many special friends and great and great-great Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone Brentwood, California, and Janeen Carter Guest Smith, of nieces and nephews. 510-526-5512. E-mail: [email protected] . The Bakersfield, California. The couple divorced 1948. Pearl mar - fee is $8.00 for 1 column inch. Longer ried Alvie M. Myers in 1953. They remained happily married CAROL ELAINE THOMPSON DAVIS passed away on May for over 50 years, renewing their wedding vows just two months 30, 2011. She was born on April 3, 1923. After her husband’s obituaries will be charged a flat rate before Al’s death in 2004. She is survived by her son, Jim, and death and her retirement she returned to Washington state and of $25.00. All notices MUST be typed and his spouse, Joan, their daughter, Kimberly, and her daughters, became active in Vasa. She is survived by 2 brothers and Jennifer and Sarah Capilla; and her daughter, Janeen, and her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. WRITTEN in a format similar to those in spouse, Randall, and her daughters, Suzanne and Noelle Guest. this column. NO newspaper clippings. Orphaned at age 4, Pearl was raised by family members in THE SWEDISH CLOCK MAKER

Traditional Swedish design handcrafted in Oregon. Custom painted to order in any color or folk art style. For details see website: swedishclockmaker.com Walt Schullstrom Phone 541-461-0329 Email: [email protected]

EUROPE’S MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINE PRESENTS: A free app for everyone not flying with SAS.

The TimeKiller app contains a few simple games, perfect when waiting for a delayed fl ight. Go to fl ysas.com/timekiller or download at AppStore (or, if you prefer to be on time, book your next flight at fl ysas.com/us)

Europe’sEurope’s mostmost punctualpunctual aairlineirline 2009 and 2010 according to Flightstats.com

fl ysas.com/us